Kalam

Chapter 5

                         2 years ago

Meera ran inside the house, her dupatta trailing behind her as she made her way towards her Anjali aunty with the flowers for the Diwali puja. She was wearing a beautiful white lehenga. The payal in her feet made a melodies sound as she ran to find the woman.

Her feet stopped when she saw Ayaan. Her best friend and partner in crime. She reached him, gave him the flowers and asked him to put them in the temple. As much as she loved Diwali, she couldn't find it in herself to be happy today. This year Diwali was on the same day as her mother's death anniversary.

Her mother died of cancer when she was only three years old. She doesn't even remember the woman who gave birth to her. Every year broke her heart again and again of not having anyone to call maa. Her father did his best and provided her with everything but he couldn't take the place of her mother.

Ayaan looked at Meera's dull face with empathy. He had seen her cry this day for as many years as he can remember but as she grew up, she learned how to keep it to herself. She doesn't cry in front of anyone anymore. No matter how hurt she is. The last time he saw her cry was five years ago. She bottles up her emotions now and keeps them inside her. Only for herself.

She is still the fun loving girl but there is no spark in her eyes anymore. She wanted to start her own business and become successful. She put in alot of efforts too. Her company isn't that big yet, but it is a big deal for a 23 year old to own one in the first place. She has made her exterior of stone. No one can have a peak at her emotions anymore. And that scares him.

He misses the little Meeru that used to run around the house trying to catch him. Or the one that hid behind her fantasy or romantic books. She loves reading and that is why the family gave her full access to the library in the house. However, they don't have the type of books she reads, she is still thankful.

Meera leaves and goes back to the cottage next to the Rajvansh's villa. She doesn't call it home. It doesn't seem like it. It was hollow and empty, just like her heart. Her father was the only one that lived in it other that her, and most of the time he was in the office. 

She grew up alone in that house and that horrid mansion scares her. At one point she got so lonely, she felt like the empty hallways are going to swallow her up. This empty house did give her a dream though. She wanted a house for herself, not just a house but a home. A place where even when she is alone, she feels welcomed and not lonely. Home. The one thing she craved for.

Meera sat with her mother's picture in her hand. She was beautiful. People say she looks just like her mother. Just her nose and hair comes from her father. A shadow covered her mother's frame. She looked up to see Ayaan and Anjali aunty standing there with ice cream.

"Meeru. Don't cry beta. She is in a better now. I told you, she is fine and she would get sad when she sees you looking glum on her favorite festival. And yours too." Anjali gently weaved her fingers through Meera's long hair. She was the woman closest to her. The mother figure she needed.

"And see. I brought your favorite ice cream. Tere liye shop khulvayi. Dukaanwala bhi gaali de rha tha ki Diwali ke din bhi chain nhi h mujhe."

(I got the shop opened, especially for you. Even the shop owner was cussing at me, that I didn't let him heave a sigh even on Diwali.)

Meera knew she had to be strong. She smiled at the both of them and took the ice cream from Ayaan's hands.

"Even I want to eat. I was the one who got it. Stop stuffing your face like a lunatic. Give me!" There started the tug of war. Ayaan was trying to get some ice cream for himself but Meera didn't want that. Their banter ended in Ayaan's victory which made Meera glare at him.