It never died

"But why?why did you do this to me?" she questioned.

Rohan looked at her, with a feeling so confused. was it guilt? was it pity? he didn't know.

"I tried...believe me, i tried.but i just couldn't hurt you that way," his voice shook helplessly as he explained.

"Ofcourse, you tried," she smiled so eerily.

Ayushi was totally calm...she was taking very deep breaths..as if in an attempt to calm herself..but her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

This totally unnerved Rohan. This calmess meant either Arushi was too frightened, or too angry. There was nothing about her expression that betrayed what she was going through.

"What..what exactly did she have, that i didn't?" she asked.

"Its nothing like that Ayushi..please don't compare...its just that..I, i am in love with her," Rohan confessed.

"Are you? ARE YOU??" she screamed. With one pull she upturned the tablecloth. There were shards of crystal lying all over the floor..and she started laughing hysterically.

"Three years...three goddamned years!! Doesn't count, does it?" she choked out, in between peals of bloodcurdling laughter.

It was true, they were living together for three years now. Rohan knew that this girl had given him all she had, and now this is how she was being rewarded.

Ayushi walked up to the balcony...shaking frenziedly. She turned to face him. Her pretty eyes were sparkling like diamonds. The tears ran down her cheek, never tired.

"Why?" she pleaded, like a little girl pleading for a candy from her mother.

Rohan took tentative steps towards her. He reached out and touched her shoulders.

"I am sorry Ayushi," his voice too sounded like a child's.

She looked deep into his eyes, laughing again.

"You do know that i will never let you be happy with her, don't you?" her eyes shone with rage. Rohan shook like a kid, scared. there was something about her voice thatt told him she meant her words.

"Ayushi, please understand, there is nothing you can do," Rohan pleaded.

"Oh really, you think there's nothing i can do? Nothing?" she started laughing again.

She clutched his collars, "No matter which goddamned place i am in, i'll never let you be happy with her. you will never look at her the way you looked at me, never touch her the way you touched me.NEVER!" she screamed her lungs out.

"Ayushi...," Rohan reached out to hold her.

"You...dont... touch me!" she screamed and scratched him.

"Ayushi, Ayushi! calm down please!," Rohan begged.

But she was not listening to him. She struggled to hurt him, he struggled to quieten her.

"I will never let you be happy!" she spit the words out with burning hate.

It was just an accidental push.

A 70 feet fall.

A lot of blood.

A scream.

***********

He heard Ayushi screaming, and woke up with her jerk. This had got to stop. it was the seventh day he got this same nightmare.

The hardest part wasn't the constant interrogations by the police, it wasn't the cold stares. But it was meeting her parents. The tears, the wails. The screaming.

Ofcourse it had been a suicide. he had come home to find Ayushi gone.

A few close friends. A few fake alibis.

Then what followed was a safe life.

Or so, Rohan thought.

***********

The scream kept coming back to him at the most unexpected times. During a party, during a meeting. And especially when he was with Neha.

It kept coming back.

Ayushi's last scream. And it still curdled his blood.

tired, disgusted and frustrated of always thinking the same thing, Rohan slammed close the door of his car.

His head was throbbing. All he could do was close his eyes tight and chant,

"I did not kill her.I did not kill her.I did not kill her."

He fetched the keys from his pockets and opened the door to his apartment.

Every nerve in his body froze, the blood turning to ice.

His apartment was filled with candles, the floor wasn't visible beneath the veneer of rose petals. His stereo was playing soft, romantic instrumentals.

This was just how he had decorated his apartment the night he first made love to Ayushi.

He had carried her in his arms to his room. Kissing her all the while.

His instinct told him that he wanted to run away, but he stepped in, closing the door behind him.

He clutched the door with a shaking hand, to calm himself down.

But his heartbeat only grew faster when he noticed the candles stubbing out, one by one.

Rohan stood there, watching, unable to move, counting his heartbeats.

He felt her hands snaking around his chest.

"Caught you, love," Ayushi whispered into his ears.

And then, the last candle went off.

Goodbye is just a second chance.

I wrote this essay in my first term exam of grade 11. the topic was:

" as the sun rose over a changed landscape.." complete the short story.

well, according to my teacher, it turned out pretty well. but really, i think its amateurish.

anyway, it goes like this....

Goodbye is just a second chance.

As the sun rose over a changed landscape, Varun felt a strange fear. He hadn’t felt anything like it in the last forty eight hours. Yet, the last forty eight hours had been the wildest and craziest forty eight hours of his life. Foolish too maybe, but definitely crazy and impulsive.

He looked around the beach where he was sitting. It was a beautiful beach, isolated and mesmerising. The cool waters of the sea caressed his feet, the froth of the water leaving marks of itself on his fingers. He took another swig of the cold drink and the fizz made his eyes water. Yes, he felt a strange fear now, and it surprised him. He had always been an impulsive kid, not thinking before doing something. But his actions never instilled fear in him. But now amongst this unknown land and a sea of unknown faces he did feel afraid. He could not relate to anything. This place in its totality was alien to him. It’s people, its language and even its food. But still it was the first place he could think of when he wanted to run away from his little known world.

Varun closed his eyes and all the thoughts of the past two days came rushing into his mind. The flashback started.

He remembered waiting for Rahul at the college gates. He was really apprehensive because it was the day the results of his 3^rd year engineering life was to be declared. As soon as he saw Rahul, both of them rushed to the board which had the list of marks stuck to it. Pushing and pulling through the crowd of his classmates, Varun’s world stopped spinning when he saw what was written beside his name on the list. He had failed in his exam. A whole year to waste. He did not care to look back at Rahul, but rushed back home and broke the news to his parents. The first thing he received was a resounding slap from his father.

“This is the result of the time u waste with your so called ‘Band’. Playing music, are you? If you would have studied atleast a bit for exams rather than perform at those lousy concerts, you could have passed. You know what young man, you’re not my son. You do not belong to my family,” his father stormed.

Varun rushed upstairs to his room. Yes, he did play music at different concerts with his friends, but he could never call it wasting time. Music was his passion, and his father would never understand that. Impulsively, as always, he got hold of a duffel bag. Stashed in some clothes, hung his guitar round his shoulder and left his house. His father made no attempts to stop him, though his mother held on to his shirt and cried. But he had decided, he was leaving home and never coming back.

He reached the railway station and got a ticket for Vishakhapatnam. It was the first place that came into his mind. Varun stayed up all night in the train. He couldn’t sleep. His phone buzzed constantly in his pocket. Irritated, he threw his sim card away and switched the annoying little machine off. The train pulled into the station at 3 in the morning. He kept his luggage in the cloak room and headed out of the station. Reaching a rick stand, he realised he had nowhere to go to. He had no knowledge about the city, but just a handful of washed out memories from a trip long forgotten.

“Take me to a beach,” he instructed to the rick driver. It dropped him off at a beach with golden sands. He bought a cold drink from a little shop which was just opening up for business. And this is where he had ended up, staring at the sea which was blazing orange and golden, in the light of the rising sun. he knew nothing about what to do next, where to go, but he found a strange peace at this place. His thoughts were no longer impetuous, but now they made more sense. He realised his mistake. But yet, there was one thing that stopped him from going back.

“ You do not belong to my family,” his fathers voice wrung in his ears. He stayed on the beach till the heat got unbearable. Deciding to check into a motel, he headed back to the station to get his bag.

As he entered the station, he saw a man standing in front of him. This man looked crazed. He was laughing, but there were streams of water running down his cheeks. Surprised, Varun noticed that this man’s eyes were set on him.

“ Who asked you to run away idiot? We were going crazy! Its been two days since you left. Two days! Have you any idea how long that can be?” his father said all at once.

Varun couldn’t speak. There was a very disturbing lump in his throat, and his eyes were stinging.

“How did you find me?” was all he managed to croak.

During your last trip here, which is a good eight to nine years back, you got lost in the city. Your mother and I had a tough time looking for you. Atlast we found you on a beach. Alone. You weren’t afraid about being lost, instead you confessed that it was kind of fun! That night you told me, that if ever in your life you feel disillusioned or lost, you would come to Vaizag. When I couldn’t reach you on your phone, I thought I’ll take a chance. And what luck to find you here as I walked in! I feel like I got my life back,” his father’s voice broke at the last sentence.

“I am sorry dad,” Varun said in a shaky voice.

“I am sorry too,” his father said.

“Come dad, I’ll take you somewhere.”

The did not utter a word all their way to the beach. As they sat down on the damp sand, the sun shone happily on their faces. The silence was comforting.

“And you kiddo, you do belong with me,” his father hugged him hard.

After many years Varun cried in his father’s arms. And yes, he believed him.

He did belong somewhere. And he had found the place.

^_*

Yes, I wanna run away with you.

In my wedding dress.

:)

Dreams are meant for sleeping.......

The sweating arms and backs of the Calcuttans brushed past my skin...i was disgusted and tried to make my way amidst the swarm of people who seemed to be running for their lives. I looked up.

Time stopped around me and everything melted away to create a dizziness. The whole world seemed to do a somersault when his eyes caught mine...looking into those russet-brown eyes i remembered why i'm here...why i managed to feel like i'm flying as the scorching summer heat scalded my skin.....

He ran across the street towards me..a twinkling smile on his face...his hair winnowing in the wind....

He's like a dream when i'm not sleeping....

I choked on my own breath...it was unfair how he could paralyze me with just a smile...

"Hey...hows it going sweets?" he asked.

"I'm just fine....purple suits you," i smiled at his shirt.

"Thanks...you look gorgeous," he smiled back....his smile a zillion times prettier than mine.

We sat below a shady banyan tree, on a cemented pavement.

"I got you a little something," i said.he looked at the little crystal heart that rested on my palm.

"Ohhhh.....that's ravishing...just like you," he winked at me.

His phone buzzed.

"Hello??oh yeah...hell yes!! i totally forgot..!! never mind...yeah yeah...i'll be up and about in 5 minutes..sure sure.."

"Hey sweets," he continued "It's work...i'm really sorry but i have to go...it just pops up anytime...will catch up with you sometime later."

He stood up and tried to stash the cellphone in his pocket...my crystal heart slipped through his fingers and shattered on the pavement.

"Oh...i'm so damn sorry..." he apologized while gathering the pieces, "it just slipped! will make it up to you bigtime! gotta go, take care..I love you!", he took my palm and placed my broken heart atop.

I kept staring at him till the selfish Calcutta crowd blocked my view.

As i clenched my fist, my knuckles screamed in protest when the shards of crystal pierced my skin....i could feel the wetness of the blood....

Now i knew....dreams are meant for sleeping....

When i closed my eyes it was no longer the scorching sun....but a mild breeze was blowing...it was a day when everything changed...a day when he would see through my superficial looks to the depth of my heart....a day when he would promise to take better care of my heart....a day when he would say that he loves me...and would mean it.

"And still............................I love him," i mumbled like an idiot.

I am participating in the WeBlog's Sleepy Sunday contest! You may read other participating posts HERE

U turn my world upside down!

<3

Oops.i'm so helplessly in love :-\

Do they play punk music in heaven?cuz even after death, i will dance!

Really, everything was perfect. Hollywood-ish perfect.

But ofcourse, i just had to mess things up :(

SCENE 1:

It was the day my results were declared. I had done quite good. The "oh-wow" glances and the patting-on-the-back felt mega cool, and i was basking under the spotlight.

Yeah i was pretty tired too, what with all the excitement and running to the school to collect the marksheet. So i thought just a quick nap couldn't possibly hurt.

The vibration of my phone under the pillow punctured my sleep. I reached for it, and hit the "answer" button. Ofcourse my eyes were too tired to even open up and check the ID.

The Voice: "Hello Ritupriya, how did your results turn out?"

Me: "Ummmm....pretty good" *yawn*

(did i meantion that the voice sounded like of a Y-chromosome bearer's?)

The Voice: "Well, could you be a bit more specific?"

Me: "Duh yes..maths: 96, Physical science: 97, Bio: 94, anything else?"

The Voice: "OH wow..that is superb! Congratulations!"

That was when i lost it.completely.

Me: "Thanks a lot, sweeeeeeety." (yes, i did stress on the 'e' that way)

The Voice: "Ummmm...Ritupriya, you all right?"

Me: "Ofcourse, now that you called"

The Voice: "you know what? i'll hang up now. see you in class on Wednesday."

Me: "I cant wait."

And i hung up

***************

SCENE 2:

My sister and i were watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Di: "Who called today?"

Me: "Huh?"

Di: "Who called you when you were sleeping? You talked for a while."

Me: "Someone called?Who?"

Di: "Dumbo."

That was when it ALL came back, rushing into my brain. The conversation. The Voice.

I rushed into my room and snatched up my phone and hit "Call Log".

Received Calls:

Chemistry Sir.

6:07 pm.

Call duration: 00:01:17

OH.MY.GAWD.

It's Saturday today. I intend to live my life to the fullest in the next 4 days. I will miss every bit of being alive. Just want to let all of you know: I completely love you.

Take care people. Pray for my soul.

Love you all.

Toodles.

Okay..whattt? I'm in love??NO WAY!! :O

Me: What is the one thing that you want us to do together?

Chopstick: I want us to be there for each other and love each other like this forever...everything else will happen for us, sweets...

The next moment my clothes and my phone was lying on the floor. i had melted right there.

Okay, i admit, i'm a retard. I didn't even tell him all the things that I want to do with him..i mean, what kinda girl doesn't speak up, even when she has made a list??!!

Oh my god. I think i should just call him back. There is so much he needs to know.

So you think i'm in love?

I think so.

And the best part?

No matter how much the world changes..we're in this together..forever! <3

And you ask me how can i be so sure? I tell you~

I just know it.

Kindly note: Chopstick is a totally original and exclusive name i came up with, for my boyfriend. All concerned ladies may please notice that all rights to this name are reserved. Any unauthorized copying, usage, renting or adapting of this name is strictly forbidden. :P

P.S~ Guys, please bear up with me. i don't think this post makes much sense. Frankly, i have no idea what really it is supposed to mean. As they say, love can do strange things to you :-/

hopefully, i'll get my senses back soon, Amen.

Some memories fetched from dusty, old corners....

One think i knew for sure, if i did not clean up my study table in the next 12 hours, i would get a heavy dose from my mother...

So i folded up my cuffs and got to work...as soon as i pulled a drawer open a ruinous sight greeted me...all kinds of greeting cards, scrap paper, certificates for competitions said hi to me...i frowned back at them..

I was busy sorting out some pictures of an old school picnic when i saw the red file..the red file where i used to pile up all my paintings...it's been almost 5yrs now that i have given up painting.so naturally, this was quite a discovery for me..the child inside me was washed with euphoria at the sight of those paintings...

As i can't think of anything to write at this moment, i'll post some of my favourite works here...

i don't remember when i drew this one. i found it pasted on a yellowed-page of an old diary...it might come across as a very average painting to any other person...but i fell in love with it at the very moment i laid eyes on it, all over again....

i remember drawing this one, probably the best of my lot....its almost 5yr old now...i had sent a copy of it to Telekids, and boy, wasn't i happy when they published it..!! i could feel it all coming back...in some respects, i guess, it best never to grow up :P

this one is dated: 11/5/2010!

yep, thats today...i decided to spend some classic time with my dry pastels...and this is the product of the intimate time we shared :P

ok ok i admit...the leaf does not look like a leaf..and birdie's feet are ugly...but what the heck! i enjoyed painting it ;)

and this is how my fingers looked when i finished with the painting business :D

It felt great to rediscover a part of me that even i had forgotten about :)

i just remembered that i have no time to get all emo about this, because that table of mine expects to be cleaned, promising death if not :P

You can't make happy endings........

No matter how much you love, you should always know...when to hold on...and when to let go....

Stop. And say thanks.

As soon as i finished reading the letter, my eyes welled up with tears. The last thing i wanted was to be seen crying. Dang it! i couldn't even find my handkerchief!

You must be wondering what all this drama is about. Well, to make it simpler...here's the story...

I work for a NGO (which i cannot name here!) for the last couple of months. Frankly, the word 'work' is a mere decorative hoax to what i'm really assigned to do there (i guess the "official-ness" of the word adds a few degrees to my dignity, ahem, silly me). This organisation works for children below the poverty line. Many economically affluent people, Indians and otherwise do whatever little is possible for them to aid the education and upbringing of these children. As a token of thanks the children write letters to their sponsors monthly. As the little ones write in Bengali, the letters have to be translated in English for their sponsors. That's where i fit into the plot. I'm the translator.

So lets come back where i had left the story...it was a typical Tuesday night and i was in my room, "working".

It was just another letter..but i could make out how many times the child had written and rubbed off the lines that didn't seem right...it was a bit smudgy here and there, a bit wrinkled, and then smoothed out....

I really doubt if my skills of putting pen to paper will be able to retain the true essence of the letter, so i quote~

" Dear Mrs.Brooke,

Hope you are doing good. I am fine. I'm really thankful for your help. As you know, three months back, i lost my father. Thereafter, i was compelled to leave school as my mother couldn't meet the expenses. With your help i have been able to resume school! I walk to school every morning.It takes me two hours, but as i go with my friend, its quite a fun journey. My elder sister left school to make enough money for my education. She does some embroidery work at home now. We are all fine. Please send me a picture of yours, my friends and i want to see you. I pray for you every night.My family and i send you our love. Thank you, and take care.

With love,

Ruksana Khatoon."

I kept the letter down on my desk, and logged into my Blog. Suddenly, the wishlist in my last post doesn't make sense at all. I don't care Samsung Corby is stylish, i already have a cell phone. I don't care that girl in my class always gets liquor chocolates from her aunt in Dubai, Dairy milk is enough for me. I promised to myself that i won't frown at my father when he asks me to sign off from Facebook at 11pm. Thank god i've had his hand to hold all these 16yrs.

Thanks to Ruksana, now i know how to differentiate between my wants and my needs. It's funny how in this rat-race of life we forget to look back and give thanks for all those little things that makes us so complete.

How we forget that we already have

to be thankful for..............

But now that little Ruksana has given me my chance, i wont let it go. So i stop. And say thanks. Won't you?

Hi Mr.God!! How do u do?

Hi Mr.God!

How do you do?I hope everything is alright (i mean, given who you are, what could possibly go wrong?) ahem, anyway, hows the weather at Heaven?it's sweltering hot down here...i'm writing to you because i really need your help...some wishes to be fulfilled..so just to make it simpler for you, i made a wishlist..i posted one to your at your address..but i'm posting another copy at my blog too...just in case you decide to come online tonight :)

So here goes:

1. A new pair off red stilletoes. No, i've not thrown thrown the old one away. But it's heels are kinda funny, hurts real bad :(

2. A friend. A REAL one, who'd give me his (or her, ofcourse) hand to hold. I tried holding my left hand with the right, but it's not working :-/

3. A guitar tuner. I've run out of pocket money and my guitar badly needs tuning :'(

4. More nails to bite. So please make them grow faster.

5. A new mom. Hahahaha! Just kidding! ;)

6. Some new, interesting neighbours to spy on. My binoculars are getting dusty, lying unused.

7. A new Lakme Lip Gloss. I know i bought one just yesterday. But the stupid girl at the counter gave me Colour09: Peach instead of Colour19: Plush pink. I didn't re-check. So i guess that makes me stupid too. And i just discovered the bill says: NO EXCHANGE. Ughhhh! dumb dumb dumb!

8. More followers of my blog. (See...atleast i'm an honest kid!!)

9. A car (anything except a Maruti Omni, please). I want to drive to my dance class. And i have no clue where my father hid the keys.

10. Help the cooks all over the world to invent some new delicious but healthy dish! This just-a-salad-for-lunch-diet makes me hungry!

You HAVE TO agree that i'm a lot less demanding than some other nagging teenagers i know of! i cut my wishlist down to 10! How many og 16 yr old girls can do that??

Besides, i'm available on Facebook tonight. So if you come online, ping me! may be we can chat this out...and don't forget to comment on my status ;)

Toodles! oops, i mean, goodbye and take care.

With love (and a hint of expectation),

Ridsi :)

If i were...

Ever since i saw this at Blunt Edges, i was jumping up and down on my seat to try it myself. so i'm giving it a shot...here it goes...

If i were a month, i'd be November.

If i were a day of the week, i'd be let-lose-Friday.

If i were a colour, I'd be Purple.

If i were a feeling, I'd be excitement.

If i were a time of the day,

.....I'd be sunset.

If i were a season,

...i'd be golden autumn.

If i were an animal,

....i'd be a koala.

If i were a piece of furniture,

.....i'd be a crimson couch.

If i were were a drink,

...i'd be hot cocoa.

If i were a tree,

...i'd be a cool, watery willow.

if i were a flower,

...i'd be a tulip.

If i were an element,

....i'd be blazing fire.

If i were a type of weather...

...i'd be a mild breeze with dark clouds atop.

If i were an instrument,

....i'd be my first guitar.

If i were a fruit,

....i'd be a luscious mango.

If i were a food,

....i'd be a plate of lip-smacking momo.

If i were a sound....

....i'd be the twinkling and tinkling of a windchime.

If i were a song,

........i'd be "I wanna grow old with you".

If i were a body part,

......i'd be the eyes.

If i were a facial expression,

......i'd be a cheeky smile with a raised eyebrow.

If i were a place,

....i'd be Park Street, Kolkata.

If i were an activity,

....i'd be carefree dance.

If i were a landscape,

....i'd be a beach.

If i were anything else.....i'd be me.

;) <3

Love,or something like it....

Pia tried to de-tangle her hair..the wind was blowing a bit too fast..and she hated tangled hair..but she wouldn't be in any other place in this entire world right now even if she could trade her hair with Angelina Jolie....

To be very specific, she was on the terrace of her pishi's house...her ICSE boards had finished a week ago and she had come to her pishi's place to chill for a few days..right now the clock ticked it's way towards 8:30pm..and Pia's heartbeat grew louder as each second ticked away...

There he was..he walked so stealthily. even in the darkness Pia knew he was looking at her.This was the guy Pia would come up to the terrace for..he strolled on the terrace of the house just opposite Pia's pishi's house...they would spend hours on the terrace looking at each other, though the cruel darkness clouded everything..

Pia loved looking at his dark silhouette against the midnight blue sky..his shoulders..so striking, so beautiful.once in a while he would hold up his cellphone close to his face reading a text..in that little light Pia had discovered what a handsome nose he had..so sharp.Yeah, what a silly thing to notice, Pia thought.

That night at the dinner table Pia mustered up the courage to ask her brother,

"Hey bro, who's that guy in the house opposite ours?"

Rohan said~ "Some guy from Mumbai called Varun, came to spend his holidays in Kolkata. a moron, i tell you! we asked him to play cricket with us and he tells us 'Cricket is not my thing, i'm more of a rugby guy' HUH! which Indian guy doesn't like cricket,eh?"

Pia nodded sympathetically.she couldn't feel sorry for Rohan.personally, she never found fun in a guy hitting a ball with a bat and 11 other men running like madcaps to catch it....

* * * * * * * *

It was very easy to tell when Pia wasn't in a good mood.she would hunt for things to eat.anger fostered hunger, she believed.last night she had waited for two long hours on the terrace and he didn't show up..what a wonderful time she had with the mosquitoes!!

"Uncle, a maggi please," Pia told the shopkeeper.after counting the change she turned around and froze..it was him, right in front of her.he smiled apologetically, Pia frowned back.

"Hey, i'm sorry..i tried to come.besides, hi, i'm Varun," he said.

"Yeah, i know that," Pia replied.

"Seriously, i tried to come..awww..dont be mad..let's go for a walk..please? i insist," he begged.

Soon enough, they were sitting beside a lake in the locality and talked like they had known each other forever.

"I like kites," Pia said "so colourful, and so free"

She looked at the little V-shaped pendant that hung around his neck on a silver chain, "Hey, that's cute," she said.

"I've worn that locket since i was a child. it's my favorite, almost a part of me now," Varun explained.

"It's so pretty," Pia sighed.

"Hmmm...your choices are unusual," Varun said.

"I am unusual," Pia gave him one of her best smiles and put on her shoes to return home.

When she returned, she cursed the shopkeeper on top of her voice for being so lazy, and Runi pishi believed her.

* * * * * * * *

Every morning they would meet near the lake, and stroll on the lush green lawn, lost in their own little world.

"Pia, i have to tell you something," Varun said.

Pia looked up at him. he held Pia's hand in both if his.

"I'm leaving next week Pia, for Alabama, USA.my uncle stays there and that's where i'll continue my studies.i have to go."

Pia had been unable to respond as hot tears trickled down her face..she ran back to her house.

That was the first day Pia felt how strict her parents are..most of her classmates had cellphones..why couldn't she have one?the money she had saved in her piggie bank from when she was just a child was sure to be enough.Besides, how much could international calls cost??

* * * * * * * *

"Pia???Pia beta wake up!" Runi pishi shook her vigorously.

Pia groaned still half-asleep.

"Pia beta, your grandma is not well..she has been hospitalised.pack your bags shona, your dad is coming to take you back home," Runi pishi explained.

Pia shot up on her bed..no no no no, how could this be?how could she go back today?? God noh! she loved her grandma..but what about Varun??why was everything going so wrong?

Runi pishi packed her bags.Pia's dad would come by 5 in the afternoon..Pia took her suitacse and insisted that she wait alone near the main road..she kissed her aunt good-bye.

pia was waiting by the main road..she could hardly hold back her tears..

"Pia??"

In a second Pia knew who that voice belonged to.the one voice she would do anything for,...

"Pia..you're leaving??" Varun asked as she turned around to face him..she tried, but she couldn't answer..

they just stared at each other..so helpless, so lost.

A Wagoner wheeled in beside them..it was Pia's father..he opened the door and said "Pia beta..get in!"

Pia looked at Varun with fear, pain and love etched in her eyes...

"Pia, if you ever come back here, look for me on the terrace..not mine, but yours," Varun said.

"Huh?" Pia questioned.

"Pia..what are you doing??" her father shouted.

"I'll leave a part of me behind for you..but please, try and get here before the rain comes," Varun smiled at her.

"Go Pia, your not losing anything," he touched her lightly on her cheek.

She got in the car and shut the door behind her.

"What were you doing?and who was that boy?" her father questioned.

But Pia didn't answer..her eyes were glued to the rear-view mirror. Varun was standing with a smile on his face..the sweetest smile Pia had ever seen.

she closed her eyes as she sank into her seat..this is how she would always want to remember him..with his twinkling eyes..his smile..so beautiful and incomparable.

Tears ran down her face, but Pia smiled.

* * * * * * * *

Pia always liked her coffee bittersweet. Runi aunty made it the best way..Pia was sitting at her dining-table.she had come for a visit, three weeks since she had last come..

"Runi pishi..its too hot downstairs..i'm going to the terrace..ok?" Pia excused herself.

She took slow, short steps till she reached the terrace, and looked around. she knew this was stupid.how could Varun leave something back for her on her pishi's terrace...how would he get inside the house??Just then, she saw it...

The kite was tied to the Tata sky antennae and was frantically fluttering in the wind, as if to make it's presence known..she untied it..

It was written on the kite itself...

"Pia, i never told you, but i like kites too..the soaring kites remind me of your hair flying and caressing my cheek..they tingled me..i loved it..your eyes..they are so beautiful..i could see a whole new world when i gazed into them..looking back, i just wish we had some more time together. Pia, i love you, too"

She looked at the silver chain he had left behind...with the V-shaped locket, and clutched it close to her heart.the first raindrops fell on her cheek, their coolness soothing her, quietening her burning heart..

She closed her eyes and smiled..Pia had kept his word...

She had come before the rain did......

P.S~ sorry for such an unusually large post, that's for all those who survived it! this is my first shot at writing a story..something imaginative..would love to know what you guys think of it..keep me posted buds..!!read on..! :)