25 August 2010
Anvi
******
“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, your cousin Vidya?”
“yes.”
“How? When?” I told her everything and she got sad too.
“There’s nothing more to it, right?” She was still suspicious.
“No miss CBI agent,” I replied, rolling my eyes at her.
I went to meet Vidya right after school and Maasi came in the morning. She wants to take Vidya with her and I was not happy with the fact.
“Don’t worry, di. I will come soon.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” she said and hugged me. I went home in the evening.
I was going to my room when I heard Aunty, “Anvi, the books you ordered had come. I have kept it in your room.”
“Thanks, Aunty.”
“Welcome, sweetie.” I was hell tired so I decided to take a nap. Changing my school dress I slept for an hour. I woke up with a shrill sound of something.
As I opened my eyes I saw Arpit standing with an alarm clock in his hand.
“What the hell Arpit? You never let me sleep.”
“Sorry, di. Your sleeping time is wrong.”
“Yeah, exactly,” I replied sarcastically.
“I came here for the books.”
“Arpit the books are on the table itself.”
“I know but you know I don’t like touching other’s stuff without their permission.”
“And you like to disturb people in sleep?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
Rubbing the nape of his neck he said, “Sorry, but please give me my books fast. I have to read them.”
“Ok, ok,” I said and got up from the bed to open the package.
Arpit and I are fond of novels, while he loves to read horror, I am a mystery-thriller fan.
I was unwrapping the parcel when Aunty called him and he went to her, telling me to keep his books in his room. The books were 5 while I remembered ordering only 4.
I thought to check why I have received an extra book. Horrified by the revelation, the book was The Red Journal. I thought I was hallucinating. I picked up the red book and stood in front of the mirror. It was not my hallucination, it was real, just like me.
How did this happen? I checked the book inside and the contents were the same except it had a new note.
‘You broke rule no.1; 'Don’t back out. Be ready for your next punishment.’
I was afraid and tears started to come out of my eyes at their own accord.
“Di.” I heard Arpit and wiped my tears quickly. After hiding the journal I took his books and went out. I found him on the way only and handed him the books. I was about to go back to my room when Arpit stopped me.
“Di, were you crying?”
“What? No. Why would I cry?”
“You are fine, right?”
“Of course I am.”
“Don’t worry Di. Vidya will be fine,” he said smiling.
“I know.” Replying I went back to my room. I should have never accepted the challenge.
Now, what should I do? Wait for the punishment? No, I can’t let anyone hurt my loved ones.
I need to be extra attentive around those whom I love.
The next two days were troublesome for me as I didn’t sleep well. Whenever I used to hear any sound at night, I used to wake up and check if every family member was fine or not.
I have been bottling up my emotion and felt helpless because I couldn’t even share them with anyone.
27 August 2010
I got ready for Sudhir Uncle’s party even though I didn’t want to. I wore white jeans and a black tee pairing up with my not-so-high heels. I was not yet punished and was scared something might happen, and it won’t be easy for me to keep a check on everyone at the party. I had checked the diary before going to the party and it had a new riddle,
“Be a brat,
And let the mouse sneak away from the cat.”
The date for this riddle was 27 August which was today.
Mom, Arpit, grandpa, and grandma went in another car, while me, uncle, aunty, and Bhaiya were in another.
Uncle was teasing Aunty for the time she took to get ready and even Bhaiya had joined Uncle and I was just lost in my thoughts.
“Anvi” Aunty called me.
“Hmmm,” I replied but didn’t remove my gaze which was fixed outside the window.
“Are you fine?”
Her question caught me off guard and I looked at her.
I lied, “yes, Aunty.”
“You seemed tired and tense. Did something happen?”
“No, I was worried about a test which is on Monday,” I said and kept gazing out of the window. I knew she wasn't convinced because I was not the one to get worried about the test, but that was the only excuse I could think of at that time.
Soon we reached the venue and I got out of the car reluctantly. Mom and everyone had reached. I greeted Sudhir Uncle and his wife Anita Aunty and was glad that Ahana was not there.
I was standing near the drinks section and asked for an orange juice and then all of a sudden
I heard the most annoying voice,
“You are still a kid, asking for juice when you can have something more interesting than that.” Ahana came with a beer in her hand and my eyes widened.
“Why are you looking at me like that? It’s just beer. Try this.” she said and held a can near my mouth.
“I don’t want it,” I said and was about to go from there but she held my hand.
“I didn’t tell you to move.”
“And I don’t need your permission.”
“Oh come on! it’s my party and you do need my permission,” she said bitterly tightening her grip.
I winced in pain and asked her to leave my hand but she didn’t.
“Why do you hate me?” I asked.
“I don’t hate you. But I don’t even like you.”
“Ahana, leave my hand,” I said a bit loudly.
“What’s going on here?”Mom came towards us and Ahana left my hand instantly. Before I could reply anything Ahana said, “Nothing Aunty, Anvi mistook this can of beer as an energy drink and I was stopping her. Mom glared at me and I was in shock how someone can lie so effortlessly.
“Mom, I didn’t. I swear.”
“It’s not her fault Aunty. Don’t scold her.” I guess she should be awarded an Oscar for the act.
“Yes, beta.” Mom smiled at her and she went away winking at me.
“Anvi, what’s all this?”
“Mom she was lying.”
“Enough of your drama. Stay by my side all through the party, you understood.” Nodding I followed her as I knew my explanation would land on deaf ears. I was already troubled and now this.
I controlled my emotions for a while but when I realized I won’t be able to hold that long, I excused myself, went into the washroom, and cried my heart out.
I was in trouble but no one seemed to care what’s going on in my life. Sometimes I envy Ahana. She has everything and is living her life the way she wants.
After composing myself I was about to go back to Mom when I saw Uncle smoking. Uncle used to be a chain smoker at once, but Aunty’s and Dad’s relentless efforts had changed him. I didn’t know that he had again picked up his old habit. The doctor has restricted him and has said it might lead to lung cancer if he starts smoking again.
I was about to go towards him and confront him but then saw Aunty coming towards me. If she sees Uncle smoking then things can get worse.
“Anvi, have you seen your uncle?” she queried.
What should I answer? I was thinking when it struck my mind, that riddle,
‘Be a brat and let the mouse sneak away from the cat.’
It means Aunty and Uncle. Oh no, what should I do? If I don’t tell her then it won't be good for my uncle and if I will tell her then someone will be punished.
What should I do? Should I Be A Brat now?
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.
Nikhil*****************Looking at the confused and shocked faces of everyone it was quite obvious no one there was aware of this sudden agreement, not even the girl I was marrying. She wasn't herself and even at the time of pheras[holy rounds of fire] she looked disturbed, she had no idea what to do. For a moment I thought maybe someone will come and stop the shit I was going through but no one bothered. I had to help her to move during the pheras[holy rounds of fire]. With every round of the holy fire, it felt I was signing a contract, a contract of matrimony that didn't seem holy to me.The pheras[holy rounds of fire] were done and I was made to tie the nuptial thread around her neck, the thread that was about to bind together. This was the first time she looked at me with her teary eyes almost pleading to stop all this. I was helpless and I believed so was she. I had stopped in the mid, I didn't want to do this, for once I felt I was gather
Ahana******"Bride In Blue...Bride In blue...Bride In Blue..." I yelled throwing all the newspapers on the floor that had only Anvi in it and the headline stated, "Bride In Blue". I was supposed to be the talk of the town but all I received was a small corner in the newspaper. All the while my marriage was the talk of the town but on my big day that bitch Anvi snatched it from me. I didn't buy a lehnga worth Rupees 40 lakh so that I could get a place in the corner of the newspaper. I wanted to be in the limelight and if not for that stupid girl I would have been on the television."Anvi Shekhar you did it again. I won't spare you this time. Last time I only snatched your love but this time I will snatch every important thing from you, everything that gives you happiness. I will make you suffer." I swore on my death.********************Anvi******I was following him, the guy in a red