Hearts Entwined

3. 𝔸𝔸ℍ𝔸ℕ𝔸

"Aahaaaanaaaaaaa jaldi chal. Abhi tak packing nahi ki kya?" Maria shouted.

"Ruk ja meri bhen, aa rahi hu. Ek toh mera charger nahi mil raha." I was going HOME. Dad has gone for some business meeting and he won't be there for a month. Also, Navratri begins from tomorrow.

("Aahaaanaaaaaa come fast. Are you not done with the packing?....... "Wait. I'm coming. I'm not getting my charger.")

I can't control my excitement. I have lots of work to do today.

My phone rang.

"Hello? Koun hai?" No one answered. I was going to hung up but then I heard a voice..."Aahana. It's me Neha. "

("Hello? Who's it?)

"Aa. You scared me. Who's number is this?"

"Well I was at Naitik's house, Krish, Rudra and Suhani are here too. My phone was on charge so Krish gave me his phone to call you."

"I didn't know that you were going to call her. If I did, I wouldn't have given my phone to you." Someone said this from behind. I recognized his husky voice. It was Krish. My new nemesis.

I so wanna kick his butt. "Ignore him Aahana. So you're going to come for garba night tomorrow right?" Neha asked.

"Obviously. Garba without Aahana sounds off."

"Yeah my little gujju sweetheart. Don't miss tomorrow's classes!" And with that she hung up.

..................

Today's entire day was hectic. Me moving into my old house. Navrati preparations. Everything. I threw myself on my bed and the memories hit me. I missed staying here.

Journal.

"ꜱʜᴇ'ꜱ ᴍʏ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ᴍɪʀᴀᴄʟᴇ. ᴍʏ ᴛʀᴇꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ʀᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴍʏ ꜱᴍɪʟᴇ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴏᴍ."

17th June, 2022

My mother handed me the university documents. "I know you want this Aahana. I know you'll make me proud. Go, chase your dreams."

"But maa...what about papa-?" I sobbed. "I'll handle him my love. Please take care of yourself. I'll come to meet you every week." My mom said and pressed a kiss on my forehead.

I love her.

My mother was always there for me. We were still sharing my intrusive thoughts when I heard an angry voice. "Naina. How could you do something this-"

"Papa. Please. Mene apka kya bigadha hai? Kyu kar rahe ho aap aisa? Atleast talk to mumma properly."

("Dad. Please. What have I ever done to you? Why are you doing this? Atleast talk to mumma properly.")

"I was doing this for you- Raghav is rich and he'll give you all the happi-" dad was speaking but mumma stood up for me again.

"Shaant raho. Voh iss sabh se khush nahi rahegi. Everyone knows that you're doing this for business Akshay."

("Shut up. She's not going to stay happy like this. Everyone knows that you're doing this for business Akshay.)

"You.." My dad pointed at me "....are not my daughter."

_________

Present

"Uth ja baccha. Neha aane vali hai tujhe lene. Saath me jana." My mother shook me.