How I Wish I Were You (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4 :- Locked Away

"You were right. Life isn't fair all the time.

I realized it first three years ago. And today I saw your philosophy which I had once considered nonsensical to be proven right, once again.

You had claimed that the treacherous trio of our family wouldn't mend their ways; they haven't. They're still as barbaric as they once were, they still spit fire wherever they go.

You had also promised that he wouldn't relent. And to my astonishment and your happiness, he hasn't, Ma.

A claustrophobic fear settles at the pit of my stomach each time his face appears before my eyes, and yet it brings such a soothing effect that the raging emotions in my heart yearn for more. The feelings my mind that I had demeaned obsolete threaten to resurface, jolting an indescribable ache within me. It's just been a day and I already feel I can't take it anymore.

I feel myself throttling through the darkness that defies each string of hope slowly slipping away from my hands. You're the only bright ray I see in my dreams, you're the only protector in my nightmares.

Please come back to the one who dies everyday.

Please come back to the one who is betrayed by life at every stage.

Please come back for your Naina, Ma.

Yours,

Naina

A silent tear dampened the ink, blurring her vision, strangling her hopes. Neatly drawing creases and folding the sheet of paper, she safely inserted it in a plain white envelope addressed to Rama Agarwal. Naina robotically added in the postal details and heaved a sigh, waiting for the next dawn.

"Beep, beep." Another annoying alarm received a smacking hit, almost saving itself from a devastating fall from his bedside tabletop. Sameer Maheshwari stirred in his king-size mahogany bed, his eyes barely adjusting to the darkness around him. With great difficulty, his feet reached the ground amidst the layers of soft blankets and his hands reached his eyes that Sameer so frequently rubbed in the early morning hours of the day. In attempt to tiptoe as surreptitiously as possible, he tumbled over a scattered pair of roller skates, hurting his toe. Yelping silently, Sameer bit his tongue in frustration, before heading over to the bathroom.

Grabbing his headphones attached to his current savior, the Walkman, Sameer scrupulously unlatched the main door, simultaneously reaching out for the car keys that hung behind the doors of prohibition. Imagining his father's stern face, he gulped, his steps dubious for a few seconds. In the moments of newfound confidence, he imagined her tranquil face and her serene smile. Pursing his lips in determination, Sameer scurried towards his BMW 5 Series, promising himself not to deter anymore.

Revving the engine, Sameer sped onto the main road, plugging his Walkman to his ears, allowing the melodious voice of Kumar Sanu to fill his ears and taint his vivid memories and curve his lips. His car raced on the empty roads, the cool breeze tickling his face while his hands steadied on the steering wheel. Screeching alongside the National Highway 8, Sameer paused with bated breaths, his fingers constantly tapping the wheel while his feet fidgeted in trepidation. A sweatbead formed alarmingly and rolled off of one side of his forehead, while his lips curved inward in anticipation. Quickly lifting his arm, his watch glowed in the darkness, reminding him of the time, '3:59 AM'. A minute more to go, he reassured himself, as Sameer looked out of the window as stealthily as possible.

It wasn't just one minute; it was a long wait of 60 seconds. Another beep went off, jolting him to a start. Rubbing his forehead, he peeped out of the window, his fingers crossed while his lips parted for some murmured prayers. And there it was, a lone figure at a distance, running towards him on the pavement of the isolated highway. Hair tied in a ponytail, flinging from side to side in perfect sync with hand and leg movements. Each step seemed calculated, crisp to perfection, or perhaps out of habit. In his grey track pants paired with a casual white tee and a grey jacket, Sameer stepped out, only to sense a few controlled exhales approaching towards him. Dressed in a navy blue pair of track pants teamed with a white tee, Naina Agarwal jogged to her heart's content, oblivious to the rest of the world.