BOOK I in Dark Heart Series
Arthisha Shankar, she was the unwanted, ill-treated person in her family. She was a burden according to her parents. Growing up in an environment filled with failed and dysfunctional arranged marriages, the only thing she...
It was late afternoon, me, my family and her came to drop me off at the airport. Their faces, a mix of sadness and positive smiles. We stood outside the private jet. A symbol of my impending departure, My mother's eyes welled up.
"Be safe. Eat your food on time", She whispered as she hugged me tightly.
"Call us after you reach London", My father's handshake was firm yet emotional. They did the same with Adhyansh, he was also coming with me. I took a deep breath. Savouring the moment before breaking free from their embracing arms.
I reached out and gently patted on her head. A reassuring gesture before I boarded the jet. Her eyes met mine, a soft smile played on her lips. A silent understanding passed between us. In that moment, I felt a deep connection. A bond that transcended, words and distance. The gentle touch spoke volumes of my affection and appreciation for her presence in my life. I stood there, savouring the moment, a little longer than usual. My mind raced to etch every detail of her face, perfectly. As if I might not see her again for years. Her smile, her laugher, the sparkle in her eyes, I committed it all to memory. The curve of her lips, the gentle slope of her skin, I imprinted it on my mind forever.
"Time to go", I said, smiling through misty eyes. I turned and boarded the jet. Leaving my family and her behind. Adhyansh followed me closed behind.
As the jet taxied, I gazed out the window, watching my family and her fade into the distance.
The jet soared into the sky, leaving the world behind. I settled into my seat, lost in thought. As I gazed out the window, the Earth below, a patchwork quilt of greens and browns and greys. I felt small, yet connected to the world and its complexities. My mind wandered to the moments I shared with her, the laughter, the tears, the pranks, the memories we created.
I closed my eyes, letting the rhythm of the engines lull me. Into a state of calm, reflections floated to the surface of my mind like bubbles rising in a quiet pond.
***
ARTHISHA'S POV
After his jet went away from our sight, Rudrayan bhaiya dropped me at my house.
The familiar walls now seemed oppressive. As I stepped inside. "Look, look, someone warmed her lover's bed for three weeks", My second younger maternal uncle sneered, his words dripped with malice.
"Did your lover satisfy you?" My mother taunted me.
"Don't worry your uncles will", My mother's smile was a cruel twist. My stomach churned at the implication.
My second younger uncle's wife emerged from the kitchen, a bowl of vegetable in her hands. Disgust etched on her face. I ignored them and sought refuge in my mother's room.
Just three weeks I'll be free from this toxic space. Where love was a distant memory and respect, a luxury. I longed to escape from this suffocating environment, where every word cut deeper than any knife. I locked myself in my mother's room seeking solace from the toxic storm. Outside, the venomous words still echoed in my mind. But I refused to let them define my worth. I took a deep breath focused on my goals, class 10th boards. Just three weeks aways, I immersed myself in studying. Finding comfort in the familiar rhythm of my textbooks, notes and practise books. As hours passed, the tension outside faded into the background. My mother's cruel smile and uncle's snide remarks, lost their string. I was determined to rise above, to prove myself, to show them that I was stronger than their words.
The clock struck midnight, my studies were going well but my mind wandered to him. Wondering what he was doing? Did he reach London safely? I pushed the thoughts away through praying Krishna ji for his safety.
"Focus", I reminded myself. "Just three weeks then I'll be free, free from this toxic house, free to pursue my dreams, free to be myself", I said to myself.
I made a silent vow, "To stay strong, to rise above, to shine despite".
The darkness surrounding me. My resolve hardened like steel tempered in fire. I would not let their cruelty define me. I would define myself through my actions, my achievements, my character. The night air seemed to vibrate with promise as I drifted off to sleep, determined.
***
The morning light crept through the curtains, Illuminating my resolve stronger than ever. I rose, feeling refreshed and focused. The toxic words from the previous day felt distant and irrelevant. After freshening up, having a quick breakfast and ignoring them completely, I dove into my studies with renewed energy.
Every page turned, every concept grasped felt like victory over the forces. My determination solidified like granite, unshakable and unbreakable.
***
Days blurred together as I poured my heart into studying. Every moment counted with class 10th boards, just a week away.
"You are stronger than you think", I said to myself. I visualised success and was myself soaring beyond this toxic house. I took a deep breath ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
