Seasonal Scrawl | Collection

(01) Nightmares: The Beginning

She woke up with a start, her hands automatically reaching her mouth to muffle the slight sound that escaped her lips. She was sweating profusely and her heartbeats had significantly elevated. Her eyes were wide and her whole body felt shaky. Imlie slowly pulled her hands away and turned to pick up the glass of water but the person she saw instead made her eyes widen again.

"Ru-Rupi Didi? Aap? At this time? W-what happened?" Imlie asked hoping against hope she won't question her about what she saw. Rupi sighed and crouched near her. Kissing her head, she caressed her hairs affectionately.

"Since when?" she asked and Imlie gulped.

"It's nothing Didi. It happens sometimes. Let's just forget it" Imlie uttered looking everywhere but at her.

"Imlie look at me" Rupi placed her hand beneath her chin and made her look at her when she dint turn.

"Don't lie to me Imlie! Just tell me since when. I don't want to hear anything else" she said.

Imlie sighed deeply and almost whispered her answer

"Since the time Babusaheb got married to Didi"

Rupi's eyes widened and she immediately embraced her. Imlie hugged her back, the warmth of the embrace soothing her.

"What did you see in it? Have you been seeing the same thing each time?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"No. Initially it was about our forced marriage and the devastation caused by it coming out which was shown in my nightmare. Later it turned to vague things like am struck between something and am frantically calling out for Babusaheb. Recently, I see myself losing Babusaheb to Didi" her volume lowered as she uttered the last few words. Rupi sighed.

"Come with me" she said

"Where to Rupi Didi?"

"You'll sleep in my room next to me"

"It's not needed Rupi Didi. I'm alright. I'll go back to sleep now. Don't worry"

"Chup Imlie! I'm not asking you, I'm telling you! Come with me" Rupi said sternly.

"Okay Rupi Didi" Imlie nodded and the two moved to Rupi's room, unaware that one more person had overheard their conversation.

20 mins later

Imlie was fast asleep on the bed but Rupi was wide awake. Each time her eyes fell on Imlie, she felt her eyes cloud with tears. This girl is merely 19 and she has gone through so much! How had she not broken yet? Rupali remembered how she had broken down to bits when she had wailed her heart out locked in her room, hours after confronting her husband who had cheated on her. She had picked herself after and had become bitter in the process of remaining strong. It was Imlie who made her better. Rupali had thought she had finally braved what she had been put through but alas, just how wrong she had been! On that Valentine's Day, all those memories had come back to haunt her along with his betrayal which had broken her once again and all the more. She had looked around and found love blossomed everywhere. Everywhere except in her barren life, except in her broken, battered heart. It was at that point that all her hurt and pain had overpowered her will to live and she had gone ahead to try and end it! Had it not been for Imlie who by saving her put enough sense into her, her child would have been left all alone. Imlie had been there when no one had even recognised she was in pain. And now, she'll be for Imlie.

Meanwhile

She sat on her bed and replayed whatever she had heard. With that all that she had uttered to Imlie came echoing back in her head. An overwhelming ache took over her and she decided for once to look beyond the blindfolds drawn over her eyes. With this resolve, she decided to keep an eye on them. She wanted to hear the entire truth. Till then, she'd keep all her bitterness to herself she decided.

Hey all,

So have decided to make it an SS. This shall have short chapters like this one. Next part shall have more of Rupi's reflection. I think this shall come upto 5-6 parts. Do share your views.

Love,
Pratyusha