The Path I Crave!

Chapter 16

Adi

Present

Waking up without nightmare is a dream come true for me. Ever since Chandni dispelled from my life, I'm left with nightmares. I hate falling asleep but today felt different. There were no night terrors in my sleep. My heartfelt content. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was Chandni's beautiful face.

Cuddling her is my only plan for the day. I glide my fingers on the bed to find her. 'Chandni' I murmur. My hand reached her pillow but not her. Forcing my eyes open, I embraced the emptiness around me. The emptiness which is so familiar to me now. I panicked, I hate feeling void again.

I assured myself she must be somewhere around, catching up with Rishi. But that don't stop my panic, within seconds I was on my feet searching for her. 'She was here last night' I mutter to myself. I need the assurance, her presence couldn't have been a dream.

I have dreamt of her presence for a million times for the past year.

It felt real. I held her. Her touch was real, the touch I craved every day.

'Chandni' I yell, searching for her in the entire house. Rishi and Riya weren't home as well. I crash on the couch in the living room. This very movement all I felt is confusion. Relaxing my head on the couch I try to recall the previous night. I remember seeing her, glass shattering on the floor, Rishi and Riya walking away, cursing her for destroying my life, going to her room, crying my heart out before her.

The shattered glass is the only physical proof to acknowledge her presence. It's the proof that will tell me, I am not crazy yet. I walk to the kitchen in search of the proof. I don't notice my trembling hands until I reach the kitchen. I am scared to death to open the dustbin. What if last night was another nightmare? Another joke? Like my life. Shutting my eyes, I open the bin. I see it 'my proof'. Not a dream!

Chandni! Come to me please, I can't lose you again.

But where is she now? I need her back. I want her back in my life. Using the home line I dialed Rishi, hoping Chandni is with him right now. 'Hello Adi' Riya answers. This can't be good. Rishi always picks my call unless he wants to avoid me. Before I could ask anything Riya say's 'We will reach home in 5 minutes' she assures. Did the 'WE' include Chandni as well or just Rishi and Riya?

Five minutes felt like an hour. Checking the wall clock for the nth time and pacing around the living room. When I hear the sound of keys jingle, I try to relax on the couch. Rishi walks in followed by Riya, my eyes glued on the front door waiting for Chandni. When she doesn't appear my heart breaks again.

'Where is she?' I ask Rishi fearing the worst. I could sense the terror in Rishi's eyes. Whatever he has to say, wasn't good for me.

'She left to Delhi' he informs picking the water bottle from the refrigerator without meeting my gaze. She is gone again. Why does she walk away from me time and again?

The panic I fell within is definitely evident on my face 'Adi, calm down. She will come back in couple of weeks. She had to report to work' Rishi assures. God, I hate this. I can't wait 14 days to see her. How could I sleep? I hate myself right now.

'Why didn't you wake me up Rishi?' I am consumed by guilt. She could have just said goodbye for once. I knew it's my fault I slept and I am not in a place to blame anyone.

For the past two years I suffered insomnia but her appearance gave me peace and sleep. Why couldn't I have a nightmare for one more day? So that I was awake when she left. I hate the influence she has on me and my stupid heart. Why did I assume she was back for good? Chandni never stops for anyone or anything.