Unhinged

Chapter 8

Sharanya cleared her throat and made herself ready to pour her heart out in front of those people. She had never shared this with anyone. Not even with Riva even though she was the closest person to her.

"I was a happy child" Sharanya started "I had a perfect family.. Mummy, papa, Bhaiyya, didi aur main.. We loved each other.. I loved my siblings a lot.. And of course my mother. I was six years old when something happened that changed my life forever"

Everyone was hearing her curiously.

"I was sitting on a swing in backyard.. Mummy came and told me that she was going for grocery shopping and asked me if I wanted to come.. It was a hot afternoon and I was enjoying lemonade.. I didn't feel like going.. It was so against my nature because I was the youngest and going for shopping without me was a sin in my house" Sharanya chuckled slowly whilst remembering "But that day I felt like I don't want to go so I told her to go ahead.. She kept asking me until she drove away with both my siblings.. She kept asking If I wanted to come but I kept denying.. I waved my hand and said good bye.. Not knowing that it really was a final good bye.. "

Shashank heard this and felt his heart wrenching.. He didn't know anything about Sharanya even though they were friends from last four years.

" I came back inside.. My father was reading something as usual.. He was in his study.. I walked around the house.. I remember the staff members working.. A lady cleaning furniture, A man cleaning chandelier by standing on a long stool. There was big clock on wall and in my hand I had a cartoon shaped digital clock which showed time, day, date and also temperature.. I remember I was inside the house where air conditioner was working so the clock showed temperature of 24° Fahrenheit. I went outside and stood there for some minutes.. Clock showed the temperature 45° Fahrenheit.. I read all the numbers and letters. 14:35. 21.05.1991. Tuesday. 45° Fahrenheit "

Shashank furrowed his brows. How minutely she remembered everything whilst he had very hazy memories of his traumatic day!

" I remember suddenly my father was rushing somewhere. He was looking stressed. He told me to not go anywhere and he would come back.. He left with our nanny and didn't come back until late at night.." Sharanya told "My house staff and nanny were also looking stressed.. I didn't know what was happening.. I kept asking why no one is coming back? I was angry because I thought they all left me here and went somewhere.. I refused to eat but nanny made me eat something.. It was quite late.. I dozzed off and when I woke up I was in my room.. I got downstairs, still no one was there except nanny and staff.. Everyone was gathered around TV and watching news.. Some of them were crying.. I looked at tv but couldn't understand.. "

" In some minutes my papa came there.. He sat down on his knees and cupped my face.. He told me.. Sharu your mother and siblings are no more.. They died in a car accident.. I am sorry" Sharanya told "And that was it.. Ho gaya khatam sab.. Tabse leke ab tak waisi hi hoo.. Na koi reaction na kuch.. I just lost myself that very precise moment and I couldn't get myself back.. I lost myself forever"

Everyone around her were feeling bad for her yet they had lines if confusion on their foreheads. Even Shashank.. There was something about her story which was weird..!

"I don't know why but I never believed what my father told me.. I never believed that people whom I loved just left.. What happened to them? Did they just vanished into thin air? How are they just gone? Wiped out of existence? These questions are haunting me for last seventeen years.. I have lost myself because of them.. I want to seek myself.. My real self.. " Sharanya said eagerly.

"And you shall, my child" Naveen said "You shall meet your real self really soon"

Sharanya felt assured after hearing him. She felt tears on her cheeks whilst a smile appeared on her lips.