Broken

7.

Raavi had managed to get up in the morning and she got ready before Shiva came to meet her. She wasn't going to let him annoy her anymore. It was almost time for him to come. Raavi had called Dhara in the morning and asked her to send some thepla and jalebis with Shiva. She hadn't felt this good in a long time. She felt weightless and she only hoped that all her memories won't come back to haunt her. The door opened and it was Krish! She was so happy to see his smiling face. He hugged her.

"Yeh lo. Bhabhi ne theple aur jalebi bheji hain." Krish said. "Tum thik toh ho na Raavi?"

"Main bilkul thik hu Krish. Tu apna bata."

Raavi heard him talking about his college for sometime, then everything that had happened at home. He spoke as if things were normal, and she listened as if nothing had happened. Krish was her absolute favourite. With him, she got transported back into a time when everything was fine. Raavi got tears in her from the nostalgia of it.

"Tum wapas rone lagi?" Krish asked.

"Nahi. Bas tujhse baat karke bohot achha lag raha hai."

"Ek baat batau Raavi. Dekh jo hua bura hua par woh ho chuka hai. Ab move on karne ka time ho chuka hain. Aur ek kitna bada miracle bhi toh hua hai." Krish said. 

"Kaunsa miracle?" Raavi asked.

"Shiva aur tum friends ban gaye. Kisi ne nahi socha tha aisa kuch hoga."

Raavi smiled. It was true. Even she had trouble believing that Shiva had become her support system. He spent the days with her willingly. He not only saved her life, but he made her want to live. Last night when she was feeling alone, she only wanted to talk to Shiva. Hearing his voice just made her so happy and relaxed. Raavi heard her bedroom door open and saw Shiva. She was happy to see him, but he looked tired. There were dark circles under his eyes. She was worried.

"Shiva tu thik hain?" Raavi suddenly got up and touched his face. Shiva felt a little shy at her touch. Raavi stepped back, feeling a little shy herself.

"Haa mujhe kya hoga." Shiva said. "Tum dono gadhero kya baat kar rahe ho?"

"Tujhse kya matlab?" Raavi said.

"Krish na mera bhai hai. Main nahi chahta tu uske dimag mein bhi bhusa bhar de"

"Oh please, sara bhusa tune hi bhar diya hai. Meri koi zaroorat nahi." Raavi said.

"Tum dono phir shuru ho gaye?" Krish started laughing.

Even Raavi couldn't stop smiling. She loved arguing with Shiva. Her day was a waste without it. She was still concerned about Shiva. He didn't laugh nor was he mad at Krish as usual. It seemed as if he hadn't slept for days.

"Mujhe abhi toh college jaana hai par main baad mein aaunga." Krish got up to leave but stopped to say something. "Ek aur miracle bhi hua hai. Maami mujhe dekhke khush hui. Fake wala nahi, asli wala."

Then he left. Raavi was about to talk to Shiva but he pulled her out of the room to have golagappas. She didn't mind at all. Her mouth watered thinking about golgappe. She walked out of the house and got on his bike. This time she wasn't as nervous or scared. In fact, she felt much better. 

When they reached, she got down and ordered golagappe for both of them. Raavi took one into her mouth and she was in love! She could live just for the sake of these golagappes. They gave her a new meaning in life. She kept popping one after the other in her mouth, losing count. They were amazing. She looked at Shiva who was done way before her, but Raavi couldn't stop. Shiva was giving her a look calling her a bhukkad but she didn't mind. She ate thirty-five golagappas.

After she was done, Raavi turned around to find Dev and a girl talking at some distance. He was on his bike and she was standing next to him. The proximity between them told her who she was. Raavi felt her heart beating quickly. She didn't want to face them. The shame was burning in her skin and Raavi felt like crawling into a hole. Suddenly her view was blocked by Shiva who stood before her. He cupped her face and made her look at him.

"Tu sirf meri taraf dekh Raavi. Baaki sab bhul jaa." He said.

Raavi gripped his hand and looked into his eyes. She could feel how hard she was digging her nails into his skin, but he didn't resist. He took a step closer to her. She tried to calm herself. Shiva was with her. She don't have to be scared or embarrassed but she couldn't stop her tears. It was a failure. Raavi couldn't hold herself back anymore. She put her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest. He held her so tightly that Raavi felt absolutely safe in his arms.

"Yaad mein bachpan mein ek baar humlogo ko school se picnic mein le gaye the ek amusement park?" Shiva asked. "Maine kaha tha uske piche wali jagah haunted hain. Aur tu sab ko impress karne ke liye akele waha chali gayi thi? Kitni brave thi tu."

"Mujhe pata tha tu mere piche tha. Isiliye mein brave thi. Warna mujhe bohot darr lag raha tha."

"Main toh abhi bhi tere saath hu."

Raavi broke the hug and wiped away her tears. Now she felt safe. Shiva moved to start his bike and Raavi saw Dev and his girlfriend one more time. This time she didn't feel anything. She simply ignored them and got on the bike. They went back home.

It was almost lunch time so she got two plates from the kitchen. Maasi, Mausapa and Anita had gone to a function. They weren't ready to leave, but Raavi assured them that Shiva would be there with her. She served Dhara's food and they had lunch.

"Ek baat thi." Shiva said. "Tu humare saath store mein kaam karegi? Saara accounts tu sambhalna."

Raavi was shocked. She had always wanted to work in the store. It was so inspirational for her to see Dhara helping with the store and she had also wanted to do it after her marriage. Now Shiva was asking her to do it inspite of her not being a Pandya. This only meant that Shiva had accepted her as family, which was really a miracle. Shiva's approval was everything she ever wanted. But she wanted to hear him say it.

"Par main kaise? Woh toh Pandya store hai aur main Pandya kaha?" Raavi asked.

"Haa toh, Gaumbi ne kaha na uss din tu apni hai."

"Woh toh Gaumbi ne kaha tha. Tu kya kehta hai? Main ab tere hisse mein aati hu?" Raavi asked.

"Tu puri ki puri mere hisse mein hi hain." Shiva said without thinking. Then he realised what he said. "Matlab-"

But Raavi was already jumping with joy. Shiva had finally accepted her, and she didn't even have to marry Dev for her. She flung herself into his arms. Shiva almost fell down. When she was done, he gave her a fake glare and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Tu mujhe saara hisaab samjha de. Main kal se hi teri help karungi." Raavi said. "Achha tu abhi baith. Main cake laati hu muh mitha karne ke liye."

Raavi rushed down and got cake for both of them. Anita di made amazing desserts. Now that she had promised to help him with the store, she was going to give it her best. Raavi rushed upstairs and found him sprawled about in her bed. She called to him but he didn't wake up. He was asleep. She decided not to disturb him because he looked seriously sleep deprived. Raavi put her favourite, softest blanket on him so he could be comfortable. Then she sat down and began to run her fingers through his hair. Who knew this bhootnath looked so cute while sleeping?