As The Pink Blush Appeared....

23.

'Well, I was canoeing down a river at twilight, the mellow amber was splashed across the sky. The flow of water was gentle, almost like it was embracing my canoe and carrying it forward in a pacifying motion. The cool breeze drifted me off to a far away purple land. Oh, how alluring that was! Then I realised something, in this peaceful ambience, there was this sharp ache and echoing pain, signifying a deep cut, well hidden. This instantly brought anguish in me. The alluring scene didn't feel the same anymore, it became more and more depressing as I shared the concealed pain. Maybe, maybe this brief moment of extreme bliss will make my way to the ultimate salvation easier. No one can create mass and energy or destroy them, the banks of a river never meet, and the sky never makes contact with the earth. So, how could I think of being blessed under that alluring pink shower?' 

Manjiri traced over the writing gently as if caressing and comforting the writer. What sort of a pain did Saanvi conceal? Manjiri was anxious, she never saw this depressed side of Saanvi. The happy-go-lucky personality was just a facade put up by Saanvi, to shield everybody from her sadness.

Saanvi, Saanvi where was this girl? Didn't she say she'd meet Manjiri soon and they'd talk regarding this whole thing? The anticipation of seeing Saanvi thrilled Manjiri, wait, thrilled? Okay, she was excited to see Saanvi in her usual charming aura, messed up hair and that toothy grin which she'd flash often. So, Manjiri quickly got up from the bed and went in front of a mirror to tame her hair. She couldn't wipe that smile off her face, well, nobody or nothing could really.

After a long time Manjiri felt really free and light, she felt light as if she could fly along with the breeze over the beautiful pink rose gardens. What was it? The love, the security, the freedom she felt? Whatever it was, Manjiri definitely liked it. Speaking of her love, where was Saanvi? Didn't Saanvi write in that note that she'd meet her soon and then they'd talk? But why was Manjiri so excited, did she expect something? Did she want her feelings for Saanvi to be mutual? Maybe yes, but that was not just possible, right? She saw the sun setting down, but still there was no sign of Saanvi. Where did this girl go? Should she call her? Thinking about all of that, she fell asleep.

At about eight in the evening, Manjiri woke and mentally slapped herself for sleeping at that time. She washed her hands and face and exited the room she was in. She sauntered over to the kitchen to drink some water and prepare something for her and Saanvi. What did Saanvi like to eat? Oh, of course she knew, it was anything that was made up of rice. As she passed through the living room, she noticed that the lights were off except for the table lamp near the sofa. It must be Saanvi, thought Manjiri.

Saanvi heard the door open and footsteps coming closer. She knew that Manjiri was coming over to her. She was instantly filled with guilt. She was wrong, she shouldn't have brought Manjiri along with her like that and nothing could justify it, neither would she try it.

Earlier that day Saanvi went to the police station as officer Keerthi had called her in the morning. She was surprised to see the captive there. She recognized him, he was supposed to be the groom, with whom Manjiri would've married. Saanvi felt a wave of immense disgust and horror come over her as she heard the charges on him. What would have happened if Manjiri, the dainty girl, would have married that bastard, that criminal? Nope, nope, no, not, not at all, never. Saanvi gripped on the steering wheel and pressed the accelerator. Suddenly, her phone rang, it was officer Keerthi calling. "I could cut the challan right now for overspeeding, you know," the officer said in her usual stern voice. "Hello to you too, Keerthi maasi," Saanvi replied but slowed down. "Well, don't worry about the case you saw today, we'll handle it." Upon hearing the officer's words Saanvi was relieved. In the evening, her friends dragged her to a local place where they could have some 'drinks.' She had high alcohol tolerance but that day she didn't want to drink at all. She held the glass in her hand but her mind was somewhere else. She knew Manjiri was sad but now she was the cause of the sadness. What was the difference between herself and that guy? Manjiri ended up being hurt, she was no longer surrounded by her family and Saanvi, her stupid self, was the only reason behind this. How Saanvi's heart yearned to be close to Manjiri! But then she felt guilty, and was angry at herself. She wanted to help Manjiri, shower her with love but now it was difficult to even face her. Aargh! Why was it so complicated? And then crack, the noise startled everyone including Saanvi. Red, warm fluid flowed down her hand. She cleared her throat and said, "Maybe I should leave now." Without waiting for a reply, she paid her bills and for the broken glass and left the place.

And soon she was, in the living room, Manjiri standing in front of her, her hands on either side of her waist. Saanvi couldn't help but chuckle a little. 

A/N : An update after a long time. Read on 🤗.