"My love for my art bestowed me with a chance to remain afloat after her strike. But maybe it did something to her too"
-Ranbir Kohli
Ranbir sighed as he exited the hospital, a small packet of medicines in his hand. It seems that his throat was still in a stage where he could recover as the infection was still in its initial stages. He would have to continue drinking warm water, do salt water gargling, avoid anything cold and take the medicines on time and he would soon be better. His other hand was tightened on his purse in his pant pocket. He barely had enough money for two days! He earnt his salary on a daily basis and just had enough to manage two three days before he would need money again. It wasn't as if he knew how many more days he would have this infection for him to determine how to balance whatever he had and manage to pull off with it for those many days!
"Go about this methodically, Ranbir! First check how much money you have. Then check the groceries you have at home. Then check for days of important payments like rent. Decide further after you're done with all of this!" he made a mental checklist.
He reached his house within a few minutes as it wasn't far away and went about doing what he had planned on the way back. He checked his purse and savings and made a note in his notebook. He then went about the house jotting down what he had and how many days it might last. He lastly made a note of the dates he would have to deal with necessary payments. Settling back on the couch, he went through whatever he had written down till now and contemplated a few things in his mind. He had enough groceries to last him for four to five days. So his daily requirements were taken care of! But the major worry now was the rent he had to pay in five days. He had kept away a little from all his earnings, like each time to pay the rent but it was unfortunately short of the amount needed.
He ran his hands through his hair and stood up. Pacing about, he pondered over what job he could possibly take up temporarily so that he could earn enough money. Maybe he could find some small job at the store nearby. He sighed sadly as he remembered the huge contract he would have to let go. He had been offered to perform for a huge function and he had been so ecstatic about it!
"Oh shit!" he facepalmed himself and shook his head. He had forgotten to inform them that he wouldn't be able to take up this contract!
He pulled out his phone and clicked on the number, taking deep breaths to compose himself.
___________________________________________
“Ughh!” she exclaimed and banged the book on the table, utterly frustrated. From the time she had come home, her thoughts had been revolving around her actions and him. Be it whatever that she did, that inexplicable feeling and something akin to guilt coursing through her refused to cease!
She stood up and rushed to her room. Swallowing a sleeping pill, she settled on her bed. She needed respite from even herself now and hence, this was the best method.
A loud knock jerked her out of her slumber and she sat up with a start. It took her a few moments to come out of the disorientation that gripped her and she headed towards the door, uncomfortable and irritated. The incessant knocking on the door did nothing to alleviate her building irritation. She pulled open the door with a much larger force than needed and her eyes widened when she saw who it was at the door.
She dint know why she felt such but she felt extremely uncomfortable at seeing who it was at the door. His eyes were bloodshot red and his fists were clenched. There were dried tear tracks on his face and his lips had red cuts as if he had bit hard on them repeatedly. His hair was a complete mess and so were his clothes. The silence around them magnified the sounds of his irregular breathing and she could see his teeth clench hard.
"Why?" he spat out, his eyes filling with tears yet again.
She stood, unmoving and incapable of forming any words. The depth of agony and anger both in his eyes and his stance took her back to years before where a similar sight had stood in front of the mirror. Her eyes had burned just as much that day, with the same profound emotions as his was today. She had yelled out the very same question he had put in front of her!
Her entire body began to shake as her mind oscillated between what she was seeing now and what she had seen then. His image and her own from years seemed to dissolve into each other as they alternated with a furious pace. Her breaths came out irregularly and she began backing away, shaking her head.
___________________________________________
A smile formed on his lips. He had indeed been lucky or it was all by Almighty’s grace! Be it whatever though, the contract had not been completely lost to him! His impressive skills with a guitar as seen personally by Mr. Raheja during one of his concerts had got him an offer according to which he would still get to perform but it would be as a guitarist and would be in tandem with another singer who he would be acquainted with shortly. They then would be meeting for a few rehearsals to catch onto a synchronization they’d be needing to make the event a success.
He picked up the guitar he had rented when his own had been damaged and gently strummed it. His eyes closed on their own accord and he swayed, mouthing the lyrics, the tune of which his fingers strummed.
This occurrence had reinstilled his faith and his face glowed with happiness at the realization that he wouldn't be cut off completely from the one thing that was the closest to his heart - his art, his profession and his passion- his music!
___________________________________________
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Hey guys,
Confused?
Do share your views
Love,
Pratyusha
YOU ARE READING
Splinters Of Ice | Pranbir
Fanfiction..... Prachi x Ranbir AU ...... // Can be read as general fiction // An enigma she was, unfathomable depths she held within herself. Every interaction with her asserted the same. Yet like moth to the flame, he was drawn to her irrevocably. The plung...
