Les Flammes Jumelles

1. WRONG?

Chalo phir dhoondh layein
Hum usi masoom bachpan ko
Jahan sapna sajaya tha
Jahan bachpan bitaya tha
Jahan pedon ke saaye mein
Gharonda ek banaya tha

- Devdas

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"Shivaaa!" A high pitched, familiar voice filled his ears, making his head snap up from the diary in his hands.

The ground before him was all empty. The sun about to fold its aurum sheets in an hour or two, shone warmly in a picturesque view in the afternoon of November. It was a pleasant day to spend outdoors, bask the comfort and warmth that the soft rays of the sun provided to the streets of Gujarat in this month, before the winter chills would make their way. And that was exactly what he was doing, sitting on the green floor at his favourite spot, and with his favourite object in his hand when he heard her voice - uncharacteristically alarmed and nervous.

Silence followed her voice for a couple of seconds, before the familiar girl came into his view, almost running towards him from with all her might. The pigtails on her head swayed lightly as she ran. Her pink frock getting played by the wind, and a panicked expression etched across her features. If her voice had alarmed him of a trouble, the sight of her was enough to confirm his doubts. Reflexively, he stood to his feet, marching up quickly to the girl reaching for him.

"Mujh par domestic violence ho raha hai!" As soon as they approached each other, Raavi held his hand firmly for support as she panted heavily due to her latest marathon, closing her eyes with her head bent, resting her other hand on her knee as she steadied herself.

"Kya?" Asked Shiva, perplexed at the girl before him. "Shaadi kab ki tune?"

"Offo, Shiva! Meri shaadi tere bina ho sakti hai kya?! Kya bol raha hai, paagal ho gaya hai?" Raavi furrowed her brows at him as she placed her hand on her chest, catching her breath.

"Main paagal ho gaya hun?! Tu kya bakwaas kar rahi hai?!" Shiva glared at her, placing his hands on his waist.
"Tune hi-"

"Maine?! Maine kab kaha meri shaadi ho chuki hai?" Questioned Raavi, genuinely confused by the boy before her. What was he speaking? Has he finally lost it completely?

"Aur vaise bhi!" Added she. "Shaadi aise hi thodi na hoti hai! Shaadi hoti hai to sabko pata chalta hai! Sabko batate hain, bulate hain! Aur bohot mazey karte hain!" She clapped her hands excitedly as she spoke, the reason of her arrival nothing but forgotten.

"Acha!" Shiva raised his brows, pretending to be excited, while she nodded her head with the same glee in her eyes. "Tujhe bada pata hai shaadi ke baare mein!"

This was Raavi. The girl who's wide smile - as bright as the golden rays of the sun shimmering with hope, warmth and love - practically had the potential to be recognised as her birthmark. The thing he loved about her the most. Whatever the situation was, whatever life threw at her as a child, in the most difficult of times, and in the darkest of days a child without her parents has to endure, the only constant in her life - apart from him - was her smile, and one is his life was she herself. A smile to hide her tears from everyone or to accompany them before him, and a smile that could light up the blackest of corners. This, was Raavi. Like the first ray of the rising sun - just like her name meant. Literally. Pure as snow, light hearted and soothing as the morning breeze, full of warmth, hope and positivity - and radiating the same all around her - and innocent as a new born. Literally, again. Oh, and also, easily distracted - in the blink of an eye!