Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter 6 - Healing Steps

It had been a week since Meera arrived at the safe house, a sanctuary filled with the gentle hum of friendship and understanding. Despite warm smiles and supportive words from Athiya, Anushka, and Ritika, Meera found herself in a delicate balance between engaging with them and retreating into her thoughts. 

She participated in conversations and helped in the kitchen, yet she remained isolated, as if encased in glass, watching life unfold around her but unable to immerse herself fully.

Concerned about her growing distance, Ritika suggested calling Arya. "We need to do something about Meera. I feel like she's shutting us out, even when she's right here with us. It's time to encourage her to let it out."

Arya hummed thoughtfully before replying, "Do you have a dance hall or place outside for a walk? Take her there without mentioning anything. A change of scenery might help."

"But she just came from the hospital and dance ?," Rahul interjected.

"Your sister once had take three bullets out of her body without anaesthesia. She'll be fine; don't worry," Arya insisted. The rest of the group nodded, their minds reeling with the new information.

With a plan in place, the three friends returned to find Meera sitting quietly in the living room, staring out at the vibrant garden.

"Meera!" Athiya called, breaking her reverie. "We're planning a little walk in the garden. Want to join us?"

Meera hesitated, her heart racing at the thought. "Yes, sure."

As they walked through the sprawling property, Meera's steps were slow and deliberate. Athiya, Anushka, and Ritika flanked her, chatting softly, but she was only half-listening. Suddenly, her eyes fell on a secluded corner of the garden.

After some time, they arrived at a building Meera had not noticed before. It stood apart from the rest, with large windows and a welcoming porch. She squinted at it, curiosity tugging at her. "What's that place?" she asked.

Athiya's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You'll see!"

They approached the door, and Athiya pushed it open, revealing a spacious hall bathed in natural light. Meera stepped inside, taking in the warm wooden floors and the high ceiling. A feeling of familiarity washed over her, but she couldn't quite place it.

"What is this place?" Meera whispered, feeling a pull inside her.

Athiya smiled knowingly. "Just a little something, Rahul built for you."

As she looked around, Meera's heart ached at the thought that Rahul had built this for her, but she hadn't been here, hadn't even known about it. Yet he had believed she would return.

Meera wandered to the centre of the room, her fingers lightly brushing the polished wood beneath her feet. The weight pressing against her heart felt overwhelming. All the emotions she had bottled up—the grief, the guilt, the loss—threatened to spill over.

Ayaan's words echoed in her mind: "When you dance, I feel like I am the happiest person alive." The memory brought tears to her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped further into the hall, letting the silence settle around her. The breeze rustled through the trees outside, carrying a sense of calm she hadn't felt in weeks. The walls seemed to resonate with echoes of laughter and music, yet all she felt was the heaviness of her heart.

Suddenly, the melody of "Bhare Naina" from Ra.One began to hum in her mind, and before she knew it, she was swaying gently to the music, her feet tracing delicate patterns on the floor.

Kyun na bole mo se mohan
kyun hai roothe roothe mohan yun...

The music filled her, pulling her deeper into the movement. Each step was precise yet fluid, a dance between control and release. Her heart pounded with every beat, and her breath came in short bursts, but she didn't stop.

Un binn kate naa raina
Unn binn aawe na ik pal chaina...

Her body moved in sync with the sorrow she had been holding back for so long. Her arms lifted gracefully, shaping the air as she let her pain flow through her body. She spun in slow circles, her movements becoming more intense, more desperate as the song played on in her mind.

Chaukhat pe dil ki aahat rakhi he
taako pe hai tohare saaye...

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she twirled across the room. Each step and sway felt like a release—a way to let go of everything that had weighed her down since Ayaan's death.

From the corner of the hall, hidden in the shadows near the porch, Rahul, Virat, and Rohit watched silently. They didn't need to speak; the gravity of the moment was understood.

Meera was letting go in the only way she knew how.

When the final notes of the song played in her mind, Meera stopped, panting heavily. She dropped to her knees, pressing her palms to the floor.

Her tears soaked the wooden surface beneath her as she wept quietly. Behind her, Rahul took a tentative step forward, but Athiya held up a hand, signaling him to wait. She knew Meera needed this moment without interruption.

After a few moments, Meera wiped her eyes and slowly stood up. She looked around the hall, her heart heavy yet strangely lighter than it had been in days. The weight of her loss remained, but it felt manageable now, as if she had made peace with the storm raging inside her.

Finally, she turned toward the door, where Rahul and the others stood waiting. She gave them a small nod, acknowledging their presence. They had been there for her all along, even when she hadn't realized it.

Virat smiled softly. "We're here for you, Mol. Always." Rahul, standing beside him with Vamika in his arms, looked at her with the same quiet patience he always had. He didn't need to say anything; his presence was enough.

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This is it from Meera's side. Further, the story shall continue with a lot of cricket, cricketers their lifes and so on alongwith Meera. However,  I plan on writing it based on the response I receive.

I await your feedback. 

Thank you.