Protect my heart

l e t t e r s

1.
Hi, Aarav. I have only written letter for English periods in school, this is my first actual letter to a real person. I hope you're fine, and don't miss me too much (I would feel bad if you don't miss me actually, hehe)
It's fine here, We live in a huge house. There's a swimming pool too, although I am not allowed to use it. I suddenly have two more siblings by the way, two brothers, I don't like any of them, they're sort of a bully, consider themselves so entitled. I can't even paint here, plus all my art supplies are over. Mumma says I can't ask for it from papa, he will scold me. Huh. The school here is also very boring and I can't make a single friend, sigh, I think it's all your fault, I was so accustomed to your company that I never tried making any new friends there and now look at me, no social skills left, I think people don't like my lame jokes as much as you do (even if you didn't laugh I know you like it, just admit it) I miss spending time with you. Really. I miss your house too. And please tell Aunty and Aditi that I loved the dress they gifted me, it fitted me well. Thank them on my behalf. I hope you will write back to me soon, even if it's one word, please do, I need to know how you are. And Aarav, I am so sorry for leaving you but I will be there with you in spirit (not ghost spirit you idiot, hehe) Anyways, I will be waiting for your reply.
Byee Aaru (go cry about it. You can't even pull my hair now.)
Yours truly
Anu

2.
I didn't recive any letter from your side, I hope you're fine Aarav, if you're angry with me you tell me that, but don't ignore me please, pretty please. And if you don't, you know I will assume the worst, like always, you don't want me to do that right (yes I am emotional blackmailing you, so take the bait and write back)
Still no progress at making friends, I just go to school for the sake of it now. And I can use the pool now, but only on Sundays. I am missing Ajit Uncle too suddenly, and his Chole bhature. Mumma seems so exhausted all the time, I tell her to rest considering her health, but she's always running around and I hate that papa doesn't say anything too. Huh.
I made a new joke by the way, today, so I am writing it, you will love it.
'What did the orange say to the apple? "You're the apple of my eye, but I'm the orange-inal!"'
Get it, if you don't you're dumb, this is very simple really. Okay I will wait for your letter. Byee!
Yours truly
Anu

3.
Why are you doing this? You're ignoring me? Me? Your best friend? You do know I am the champion at ignoring contest, if I start ignoring, you won't be able to win. I am getting angry Aarav. I hope you're doing good. I miss you guys everyday. How's Samarth and Aditi and even Rudraksh bhaiya. Does everyone still remember me? Do you remember me? I can't believe I am saying it but now I miss your unreadable, weird handwriting too.
I want to come back so badly, it's summer vacation, I asked papa but he immediately said no. That's rude don't you think, my brothers are allowed to go to their Nani's house, why can't I visit you guys, but he won't listen, he even scolded me for asking too many times. Maa couldn't do anything either. I can't even swim anymore, I started liking it, but my so called brothers threw their soup in it and blamed me for it and papa listened to them over me. I was so sad. Anyways here I am, getting bored and waiting for your reply. I wonder what you're doing? I wish you could teach me maths, I feel I am going to just pass, I hope I pass at least. Whats going on with you? Please I need to know Aarav.
Do write back okay? It's time you forgive me now.
Yours truly
Anu.

4.
I am officially angry Aarav Malhotra. If I was there, I would have beat you up, even when I am not a believer of violence. Why are you doing this? Did you already forget me? You were so sad when I left, you couldn't even say goodbye to me and now you don't even talk to me. Please Aarav, it's making me nervous, please tell me you're alright? Alive? Fine? I need a reply, till then I won't write anything at all about my condition here, you don't deserve to know.
Yours truly and very angry
Anu

5.
I'm still waiting for your reply, Aarav. It's been three months! I'm starting to think you've forgotten me completely. I'm hurt, Aarav. Really hurt. I thought our friendship meant more to you than this. I'm not even asking for a long letter, just a simple "I'm fine, Anu" would do. But no, you're silent. I'm starting to feel like I was just a convenience for you (I recently learned that word, use dictionary to find the meaning), someone to hang out with when it was easy. Well, it's not easy for me anymore. I'm struggling to make friends here, and I miss you more than ever. Please, Aarav, please write back.
Yours truly
Anu

6.
I'm trying to stay positive, Aarav, but it's getting harder. I see your silence as a sign that you've moved on, that you don't need me in your life anymore. And that hurts. I thought we had something special, something that would last even when we were apart. You promised me to be with me, protect me.
But I guess I was wrong. I'm starting to feel like I was just a chapter in your life, a chapter that you've closed and forgotten. Well, I'm not forgetting you, Aarav. I'm still holding on to the memories we made together, even if you're not. So please write back. Please.
Yours truly
Anu

7.I'm starting to lose hope, Aarav. I've written so many letters, and you haven't replied to a single one. I'm starting to feel like I'm just talking to myself, like I'm just a silly little girl who doesn't know when to give up. But I can't give up, Aarav. I can't give up on us, on our friendship, on the memories we made together. I'm holding on to the hope that one day, you'll write back, and we'll be okay again. But until then, I'm stuck in this limbo, wondering what I did wrong, except maybe moving away but I apologized for that! I am still wondering why you're ignoring me now. If you're punishing me it's enough.
Yours truly
Anu

8.
This is my last letter, Aarav. I have been writing to you since a year. My mother is the one who posts my letter because the post office is far, and she is working a lot, I can't have her do this extra work for me when you don't even reply. I'm giving up on you, on us, on our friendship. I thought it was memorable, something that would last a lifetime. But I guess I was wrong. You've forgotten me, and I'm just a distant memory for you now. I'm letting you go, Aarav. I'm letting us go. I hope you'll always be happy, that you'll find another friend who cares for you, who likes you for who you are. You deserve the best in life, Aarav. I hope you get everything you want. Bye, Aarav. You were my best friend, and so much more.
Signing off,
Anika.