Imperfectly perfect

02

◇DIVYA◇

Isha was 'excited' would be an understatement cuz the girl literally drove 20 minutes distance in less than 10 minutes.

By the time i managed to get out of that heavy as earth itself lehnga i heard two knocks on my door, our signature knock, and Isha entered in without waiting for my response

Yeah. Speak about manners

"Girll!!" Her shrill voice stabbed my eardrums quite literally as she engulfed me in a big hug "oh God! Finally! I almost thought your brains loose wirings made it completely stop functioning"

Not knowing if i should be annoyed or grateful for her 'must've meant good' words i just gave up on using my head for now and reciprocated the hug.

When she pulled back, i could see her eyes literally shining sparkles as she fished through her bag and took out- wait what-

My eyes widenedin shock "Isha...what-"

"Your train ticket Jaaneman" she winked  and took my left hand and placed the ticket on my palm.

I hope my jaw wasn't touching the ground.  It hasn't even been an hour, and here she is, ready with a freaking train ticket. That's why, my dear friends, never underestimate, Isha Arora.

She raised her brows with a smirk tugging at her rose tinted lips "i knew you weren't so in vain afterall. I planned everything the moment you told me of this" she paused "bargain"

She scurried to the door again, this time locking it shut and walked back slumping down on a chair I couldn't help but smile, feeling tears threatening to spill at the absurd yet touching words of this- my idiot.

"I hope you appreciate what a good friend i am Divya!"

I dragged a chair next to her and settled down, wrapping an arm over her shoulder "I'll make sure to fill you with heaps of waffles. Promise"

She gave a look, as if speculating my words "plain with lots of honey or chocolate syrup" a pause "and made by you"

I knew the meaning behind her words. No matter how tough and playful she was acting, deep down, isha was scared. She was seeking a promise. A promise that I'll survive the shitshow, and we would once again spend time how we always have right since the first day of school.

"You have my words" i smiled, this time, for real. We stayed like that for a few seconds, knowing this might be the last hug we would share for unforseenable amout of time before she pushed me away and was back in her boss bitch mode.

"Abb tera rona ho gaya ho toh nikle yaha se? I don't think pandit ji tere bhag jaane ki raah dekhenge bulane se pehle"

I let out a chuckle and got to my feet nodding to her. She was right, it won't be long before they would call me out. But there was one last thing i needed to take care of.

"Tu mere saath nahi aayegi ishu, na hi kisi ko batayegi you know i escaped or you helped, except Adi bhai, but only when he returns."

Her face twisted to an expression i couldn't quite place a hand on and she immediate denied, ofcourse, one  stubborn girl she is.

"Please understand, dekh ek baar maan le...my dad won't let you off the hook if he knows you helped me." I sighed "Tu pehle bahar ja and make a small talk with others there. Pretend I'm all shy and waiting here while i escape"

"Par-" she started but i cut her off with a look that pleaded for her to not use her brain at this moment. Fortunate for me, she didn't stretch it further and handed me a backpack and an old phone which i recognised as the model she used before.

She took off the bangles that somehow were still on my hands even after i got rid of the whole bridal attire and instead tied a rakshasutra on my right wrist. "You are free, Divya, live for yourself. I'm here to back you up."

A shiver ran down my spine, as if i were a bird who was suddenly freed from its cage after years of being shackled and i repeated her words to myself, my eyes glued to the rakshasutra on my wrist

"Live for myself"

And just like that, i escaped the place which i once called my home, leaving nothing but a letter behind.

Sorry, not sorry father. This daughter of yours was never filial afterall.

                                                 ~Divya

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