ALLUSION

09 | nine

It was seven in the morning and Seher was sitting besides the window, with a wire bound notebook pressed against her chest, she had been writing something but was distracted by the beauty of the moving clouds. Little things could fascinate her and the same little things could upset up. Her teary eyes thoughtlessly kept on following the clouds wherever they moved.
A coffee mug entered her unstirring vision making her head turn to face him.

"Why are you up so early?" She asked while reaching for the coffee.

"I have an urgent meeting and I also have to meet Ridhaan as he has something serious to talk about." He replied as he sat besides her.

"But we had plans, Rehan." She said knitting her brows together.

"I know. I am sorry about that but I'll try and come back as soon as possible, yeah?"

"It'll be very late by then, Rehan."

"Three fifteen doesn't sound that late."

"You will be late."

"No, I promise, we will go to the orphanage once I come back."

"Promises are meant to be broken."

"Not in our case."

"I wish."

"So, be ready okay? I really have to go right now." He said as he planted a kiss on her forhead before getting up.

"Rehan!" She called out.

"Yes?"

"You should know that I love you." Her voice sounded weak.

"And . . . I will always love you." She added after a pause.

"Should I be happy for the fact that my wifey-to-be is being extremely lovable today or should I rethink about your statements? Kidding. I love you to the power of infinity, but, I am seriously getting late. So, see you soon and bye." He walked out after giving a bright smile to her. While her smile had started to fade away.

~

"What is this?" Rehan asked when Ridhaan handed over three books to him. But Ridhaan wasn't in a state to reply.

"Ridhaan? What is this?" He asked again as he didn't get any answer to the previous question.

"Three copies of Seher's fantasy novel." Ridhaan replied.

"Thanks for telling, but I am not blind. What I meant was, why are you giving these to me?" Rehan asked but Ridhaan just kept staring at the floor.

"What? Speak up?" Rehan piled up the books on the table with a thud which made Miheeka shut her eyes forcefully.

"Miheeka, what is this? And why the hell is he being Madame Tussauds?"

"Read the book." Miheeka ordered.

"Wha- why? I've read it already."

"Read it aloud, Rehan."

"It's a long fantasy novel man, how can I read it full?" He protested.

"No, read out the notes that are written on the last two pages." She said.

"As you say, madam.
-Sometimes the pain crushes you - it leaves you incapable of everything. It leaves you broken- in and out. The tears won't roll down and the screams won't escape past your quivering lips.

Perhaps, you wouldn't even like to be in the same four walled surrounding that you've been claiming to be your home, maybe you're not safe in your own house. Sometimes you feel so blank that you do not know where to go because your mind turns out to be the worst place you've been living in. The past will haunt you. Your limbs will tingle and your brain would race in the most unhelpful way.
But time heals everything.
You will feel numb about your past, so numb that there will be a point of time when it will cease to have that effect you. You got to decide if you want to wait for that moment or think of ending your life. Its always better to take a break to save yourself from yourself. Maybe just go on a vacation?---" [FROM CHAPTER 5]

"What now? Boom, will I get my three wishes fulfilled by a genie or something?" He looked at Miheeka with confusion.

"There's a line you skipped, Rehan." Ridhaan said.

"CERTAIN WORDS ARE WRITTEN IN ITALICS SO THAT YOU PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO THEM. This one?" He asked after reading it.

"Yea." Ridhaan sighed.

"And if you jot down all the words that she has written in the paragraph above, it goes like- incapable of everything- you're not safe in your own house- the past will haunt you- save yourself- go on a vacation-"

"So? She told me that she was going to send these special copies to-"

"Needy people." Miheeka completed his statement before he could.

"Okay, let's not drag this anymore. So listen, Rehan, we found these books from Sheena, Kritika and Akshat's respective places." Ridhaan spoke.

"And they were the needy people Seher was talking about." Miheeka added as a tear escaped her eye.

"As you know, Sheena left the country some days back. Let me tell you, the other two aren't at their respective homes either." Ridhaan informed while Rehan covered his mouth in shock.

"This cannot be true." Rehan spoke as fear dominated his voice.

"It is, Rehan. Seher knew whatever we were doing. She should have been the one cursing them for whatever they did to her in the past, but she chose to save them instead."

"I think you should tell her everything before the situation worsens." Ridhaan suggested, not knowing what else to say.

"It- it's very late now."

° ° °

Author's Note: No throwing chappals at me, please. I know this was very ekta kapoor-ish but who cares? This is everything my brain could think of. I think everything is clear by now, yet if anyone has any misunderstandings then please get them cleared lol. I dont want anyone to think that Rehan had a secret liking for Miheeka, okay Rinakshi? ;)
There is one more chapter left (if you want to wait). Thank you so much for reading ♡

FEW MORE HOURS TO GO FOR DIL BECHARA :'(