Splinters Of Ice | Pranbir

11| Decoding The Ice Maiden's Verses?

[ N O T E : A few changes have been made in the chapter along with the change in title. Do read through once again and share your precious views]

"A glimpse into your diary - to your melancholic verses drew. Wrapped in brief yet intricate verses,
a step I took towards decoding you. Alas if only I knew, it wasn't even a minismal of what you'd been through!"
- Ranbir Kohli

He woke up with his head feeling heavy. It took him sometime to register that he was in the hospital. But how? The last he remembered was watching her steeled, emotionless form. Then how did he land here? The thought of what had occurred previous night brought in a sharp and strong wave of agony gushing through which mingled with his rising anger. No human likes to be vulnerable and that he had become before her the last night when she had just stood uncaring and heartless had just increased his anger.

"How are you feeling now sir?" he heard a gentle voice ask him which made him snap out of his thoughts. He looked up to see a middle aged lady dressed in the usual nurse attire. He smiled slightly and shook his head as an action to convey he was alright. She smiled and informed him she'd let the doctor know. Just as she was about to move out, he stopped her and asked

"Who brought me here Sister?"

"It was a young lady Sir. She brought you here and just left within the flash of an eyelid without even waiting to complete the procedures. " she informed and left to call the doctor.

Ranbir closed his eyes painfully trying to push back his hurt. His hand instinctively moved towards his neck to feel the locket to get some solace and that was when he realized why all of it had taken place at the first place.

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Completing the post discharge formalities, he exited the hospital hurriedly and straight away made his way to her house! Climbing the pipe at the side, he stealthily entered the house through the window. From his previous visit, he had gotten to know about this window which let to the room at the farther end of the corridor, at a considerable distance from her room.

Looking around he tiptoed towards her room as silently as a cat and peeked in. This was really risky he knew but he had to do it! He needed answers! His eyes fell on an open book at her desk. Filled with curiosity, he decided to peek in. What if this was another of her novels.

But what he read wiped out all curiosity even as he felt grief and hope hit him at the same time.

The first strike is done
The Ice Maiden's reply
Yet as embers douse
Need for warmth strives

This was my reply to his audacity. He's the one who chose to get destroyed. If he wants this so be it. But this ice cannot melt, this warmth I choose to defy!

A lone tear escaped his eyes even as a slight smile played on his lips. He turned the pages of the diary and stopped at an entry randomly.

Pluck the stars from the sky
Break them apart yet they'll shine -
What an absurd truth to abide by!

The ones who claim such "truths" are the ones who haven't seen what it actually means to get crushed.

The entry was complete yet incomplete and his curiosity grew. She was such a difficult human to understand! His brows creased in confusion even as he turned a few more pages randomly

A small streak, scarlet drops
Silver lined with red hues
The deeper it delves, the more it helps
Finally numbing it with glacial dews

What did she mean by this? Unable to think properly at that moment, he immediately clicked photos of it and the previous few entries. Then placing it back as it was, turned to move out of the room when he heard footsteps. He rushed behind the door and stood holding his breath, praying not to be caught as the sound of the footsteps increased.

She walked in with a few books. Placing them at her desk, she just closed the diary and pushed it away and then got engrossed in reading those books.

He slowly and stealthily moved away from the room and ran across to the other room. But he wouldn't even have had to do that considering she was already lost in whatever she was doing
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A room at the farthest corner of the house caught his attention. He moved towards it, his brows crinkled as he saw a huge lock hanging from the door.

"Who locks a room in their own house when they are still staying in it??" he wondered.

"Surely there must be something in there which can be of help to me" he thought.

He looked around for something to open the lock with knowing very well trying to find the key would be of no use. He moved around the hall and thankfully found few pins on the table.

As he extended his hand to pick it, his eyes fell on the very familiar object placed on the table. Pain shrouded his being at its sight and the previous night's happenings.

Wiping the lone tear that tumbled down his eyes, he held the locket and caressed it. Holding it onto his heart as if embracing it he stood, the feeling being closest to what a family hug could be. He lingered for a moment more before placing it back where it was and walking away.
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It was an arduous task itself to even try unlocking the door with a small pin and that too without making a single sound. It was all the more difficult because the lock hadn't been opened from years!
Sighing he gave up and decided to come in here when she would surely have gone out. He could learn from Ramesh Kaka and then come and open this door when he was positively sure the Ice Maiden wasn't occupying this castle of hers and had moved out to bestow others with her "icy" presence!

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Love,
Pratyusha