"It all begins and ends in your head.
What you give power to, has power over you. "

Mishti :

My morning was started with a knock on the door .. Removing my duvet I went to open the door rubbing my eyes.. I was hell tired.. I need a little more sleep..

I opened the door only to find Abir's mom there.. "Good morning, Aunty! " I wished her and she smiled. She was holding two cups of tea..

"May I come in? " she asked..

"Yes yes Aunty. " I said and she entered inside my room. She placed both the cups on the table..

"I have not brushed my teeth yet, so you take your tea.. I am coming in five minutes. " saying I went to bathroom..

It's so strange the way she's behaving with me from yesterday. I mean we just met two days before only . How could she be so sweet to someone whom she don't even know!

Keeping my thoughts aside I washed my face .. I took my brush and freshened up..

As I came out of washroom, I saw Meera Aunty folding my duvet.. Everything was at its place. It's so embarrassing because my room was looking little messy as I didn't have much time to fix it.

"Thank you, Aunty.. But why did you do all these things.. I would have done it. " I said going towards her and we both sat on our respective chairs..

"You are like a daughter to me , so no need to say Thank you and Sorry. " she said shipping her tea.. I nodded my head.

The sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky .... The view in front of me was so pleasant.. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath.. The tea was good too..

"Why don't you come with us to the temple? " she asked. As all the family members were going to Soha's village temple. But I denied as I am tired and I didn't want to spend my another day with Mr Rajvansh..

"Little tired.. I can't travel in this condition otherwise I will catch cold. " I replied to which she just nodded her head..

"Oldies will stay here only, so you won't feel alone. " she said. I kept my cup on the table.

Keeping her cup she went to balcony.. I followed her..

"Abir, please go and get ready.. I have made your breakfast. I am leaving for the  temple in half an hour. " she shouted from my balcony.

He was in garden, doing something in his laptop. He was wearing a half shirt and track pant. Sunlight and his messy hair was making him look hot.

He just said "Hmm" in response and kept doing his work. We both rolled our eyes.

"He won't listen like this.. " saying she left.. I was just watching him and in just one minute she reached there. My eyes went big when he ran with his laptop and she was behind her..

"Mom please, just give me five minutes. " he was continuously shouting..
"From last one hour you are saying five minutes" she complained and stopped..

I giggled as they both ran out of breath after five minutes of tom and jerry running..

"Listen, It's not your home.. I am getting late. After giving you breakfast I will go.. So don't make me late.. " she said angrily.

And here I was thinking I won't have to face him today atleast. Closing the door I went inside. Picking my dress from my bag I went to take bath.

I went to dining hall to have my breakfast. Abir was already present there. Ignoring him I started walking towards kitchen, but stopped as Meera aunty called me.

"I have prepared your breakfast. Sit here and take it. " she said and I went to dining table and sat on my chair.

"Listen Abir. " she called him but he was busy in his phone. I really wanted to smack his head. He didn't even look at her..

"I am saying something Abirrrr. " she shouted and he threw his phone on the table. Like an obedient student he smiled at her. She was glaring at him.

My inner soul was laughing like anything but I kept my face straight.

"We all will do our lunch in temple. So make sure you will make lunch for you, Mishti and uncle aunty. They are four and you two.. So you will make lunch for six people. " she ordered.

I chocked on my food. He was just blinking his eyes.

"Mom! We can order food from outside. " he said showing his puppy eyes.

"Yes Aunty.. Don't worry about me atleast. I will order for myself.. " I said.

"No! Do what I said. Lalit ji is a diabetic patient and Rajesh ji is a heart patient. Doctor have said them to eat healthy food. So make sure you will cook and that too healthy food. " she ordered, he pouted. Seeing him pouted she went to him

I just started having my breakfast like I didn't exist. She kissed on his crown and pulled his cheek..

"My lovely son, please, only today, " she started buttering him making me laugh..

"Okay fine! Have a safe journey.. I will manage here. " he replied getting up from his seat and hugged her to which she gave him a happiest smile..

They both started walking towards door, before going Aunty waved me, I just smiled. As they both got vanished from there I finished my breakfast and kept the plate in basin.. He was still not their, so I started walking towards backdoor slowly slowly..

I seriously not going to spend my day with him.. But before I could reach there,
"Hello? ", he shouted from my back.

But I did not stop..

" Hello, Ms Agarwal I am talking to you." he shouted again and I stopped turning my head towards him..

"Me?? " I said innocently..

"Yes you, where are you going? " he asked me keeping his both the hand on his waist..

"Why are you asking? You need some help from me. " I replied coming towards him..

"Of course! I can't cook alone. You have to help me. " he said . I knew this. I wish I would have gone with Soha to temple..

"How can I help you when I don't know cooking? " I said to him but got no reply. He got busy in his phone again. I glared at him..

"Wait a minute, " saying he picked up his call. I stayed there.. It had been more than ten minutes, I was standing there waiting for him to say something, but only if he end the damm call .

As he didn't end his call, I thought to leave. Only when I thought to leave, he cut the call. I sighed.. I was regretting for not going with Soha in each passing seconds.

"You don't need to know cooking to help me.. You just have to be with me and give me whatever I will ask. " he said and went to kitchen ..

It's already 9.30 , so without wasting my time I followed him. He was scanning the kitchen, so I stood near the door.

"What will we make first? " he asked me..
"How would I know? " I questioned him back to which he just shook his head.

"Okay! Lets just start from rice and paneer. Then we will make baingan bharta and dal. " saying he started arranging dishes..

It had been two hour since he started cooking and just ordering me to bring this, bring that. Now he added one more dish too.. He wanted to eat some chips , so he will make parwal chips.

He was cutting parwal and I was cleaning dishes.

"If you are done with your work, give me gram flour. " he asked.

There was a knife on the slab and I literally want to kill him with that.. From last two hour he's standing in one place and ordering me like a boss..

Having no option I washed my hand and started searching gram flour. I found a packet but it was not opened. Taking the flour with me I went to him and placed it on the slab..

I brought a scissor and cut it.. He forwarded the bowl and I started filling it and he started mixing it with parwal. But it stopped falling. So I shaked it and accidentally pressed the packet.. And some flour fell on his face as the packet's opening part was towards him..

My eyes went big as I saw his face.. It was all over his face.. "I.. I am sorry, it fell accidentally. " I apologized, he closed his eyes frustratedly.

I gulped as he glared at me.. "Now clean it! " he ordered blinking his eyes. The flour might have fell on his eyes too.

"It fell in my eyes. " saying he started rubbing his eyes on his back palm ..

"Stop staring at me, and help me. " he shouted making me alert. I stood on my toes and came close to his face. He was just blinking his eyes. I blew some air in his left eye and he closed it..

Opening his eyes using my fingers, I again blew some air.. His eyes got moistened. I did same with his right eye. But as I was standing on my toes, I lost my balance, so I placed my both the hand on his shoulder. To support me he held my elbow.

Flour was all over his palm, and as he held my elbow, flour got in my hand.

"Take out my handkerchief from my pant pocket and clean my face. If I will splash water, it will be little difficult for me to remove the flour.. " he told me and I nodded.

Removing my hand from his shoulder I took out his handkerchief. I started cleaning his face. But his hazel brown eyes was on me making me nervous.

There was hardly two three inch distance between us. My heart was beating rapidly.. Doing my work fast, I detached myself from him and he left my hand.

"I will just come in five minutes, " saying he left and I sighed.. After cleaning my elbow, I cleaned the slab.. After adding little more flour, I kept the packet at its place..

"You can go now, I will do other things by myself only. " he said coming towards me. Nodding my head I left the kitchen.

I went to my room and closed the door from inside. The more I wanted to stay away from him, the more I was getting close to him . Through this physical tension don't affect me. But his eyes make me weak.

I turned on the AC as I was sweating due to standing more than two hour in the kitchen.

My phone started ringing. It was from Ramu Kaka. He looked after my rent house as I stay alone there. I live there because my home is way too far from college. It took more than two hours to reach their.

So I took a house in rent near my college. It had been five days, I had not visited to college as I was in my home and then came here.

I picked up the call..

Kaka - Hello Mishti beta!

"Hii Kaka! " It seemed he's little tensed.

Kaka- Your house owner is planning to renovate this house. He said he has sent you a message too. Today is the last day . He said me to take all your belongings. And you don't have any furniture here. So saying my wife I have packed all your dressed and your official documents..

Wtf! Which message? I did not have any time to check messages. I opened my chat. I saw his message.. He could have atleast called me.

Kaka- Are you listening beta?

"Yes! Sorrry, I have not checked his message. " I replied.

Kaka - shall I take all your stuff to Agarwal mansion?

He asked me and I stayed silent.. I won't share the same house with Aarav bhai. If I will tell my Mom about this, she will transfer all my stuff to home and I have to live there until I find a new house. And finding a new house for myself close to my college is really difficult.

After Soha's marriage I have to join college as students have semester exams. And this year Principal has given me all exam management duties. If I will stay in my home, it will take too much time. I can't travel five hours daily.

"Kaka! Don't take it to Agarwal house. Can you please keep it in your house until I reach there. " I requested him.

Kaka- I would have done it, but you know my grand children are staying with me.. They are the naughtiest children, they will mess up all your stuff. And moreover I have a small house.

He replied sadly . I pressed my forehead.

Kaka- Why don't you -

He was saying something but someone cut him off. I heard a familiar female voice from his side.

Kaka- Hold on..

I nodded. I have to find a new house soon but what would I do with all my stuff.

Kaka- Beta, someone named Samaira wants to talk to you..

Samaira is a lecture in the same college I am in. It had been 6 months she had joined. We both really share a good bond.

"Han Kaka! Give her the phone" I replied..

Sam - Hi Mishti! Actually I came here to give you some documents.

"Hii Sam! Umm actually I am out of station. You give all those papers to Kaka. I will take it from him. " I said her..

Sam - Han okay! But why all your stuff are outside of your house. Are you leaving this house?

But before I could say something, Kaka said her everything. I was about lie her, because I knew her reaction after that.

Sam - Mishti! Don't worry about that. I will take all your stuffs to my house. You will stay in my house until you find a new one.

I was expecting it from her. " Thanks Sam. But don't worry.. I will manage. " I said to her.

Sam - But why? I am here na.. Let me help you..

"No Sam! You live in a joint family. You will face problem. So leave it to me. I will handle. " I replied. Through I don't know where she lives, with whom she lives, but only thing I know is she have a big family..

Sam - Com'on Mish! Let me help you. You remember na when my health was not well and no one was there in my house, I lived in your house with you that too for fifteen days.. In my bad days you did not leave my hand, how are you expecting me to not help you when you need it. And moreover there is no one present in my family now. Only Sameer bhai and me..

She tried to make me understand. But still! I sighed.

"Okay! But - "

Sam - yes! You said okay.. Now don't worry..

Saying she cut the call. What the hell!?
What will her family think about me. Her brother Sameer bhai know me, we have talked before. But other than him, I don't know anyone else. And no one know me too..

I have to find a new house soon. I dialled Aditya. He is my close friend. He will help in finding a new house.

But he did not picked up the call..

Being frustrated I threw my phone and it fell on the bed. It's all happening because of him.. He was away from us from last fourteen year, what was the need of coming here now?

Resting my head on the headboard I closed my eyes.

My eyes went open as I heard a loud noise . Someone was knocking my door. I looked at the watch. Oh my God! It's 2.00 already. I literally slept..

I got up from my bed and opened the door. Abir was standing there crushing his both the hands on his chest.

"Done sleeping? " he asked raising his eyebrows. I nodded.

"Now please come with me and have your lunch, or you need an invitation card? " he mocked me.

"What about Aunty and uncle? " I asked him going towards stairs. He was following me.

"All are sleeping after having lunch. " he replied. Nodding my head I went to dining hall..

He had already served my food, but there was two plates. It means he did not have his lunch. And I have to do my lunch with him. Making a poker face I went to wash my hand.

As I came, I saw him scrolling his phone. This man and his obsession with his phone.

I silently finished my lunch and cleaned all the dishes.. After lunch, he left.

Everyone came at evening. Soha was happy, afterall she got time to spend with Ram.. I regretted for not going with her.

That day went like that, at night we both and her some friends watched a movie. And all slept in Soha's room..
---------------------------------

It's around 6.00 in the evening and everyone were present at home.. I went to downstairs.. I waved at Soha , shewas resting on the sofa.. Today it's her mehendi. The function would start at 8.00. So I took her with me to the beach.

I walked down to the beach along with her and climbed up on to the rock and took a deep breathe..

Peace, serenity, contentment, a mixture of all these feelings created an unmatched feelings that overwhelmed me..

I felt the rays of the sun starting to warm my face and skin slowly.. I closed my eyes to hear the magical sound of waves as they crashed against shore..

I went near the water and slowly sat down on the sand.. I enjoyed the view as the bright sun just hit the water on the horizon..

I felt quite cold against my skin as the wind started blowing.. I opened the camera on my phone and clicked some picture of the view..

After a couple of minutes I put my feet in water, my body cooled down.. I could feel the grain of sands washing in between my toes..

I walked to go into the water a little deeper, until I heard Soha.

"Mishti! We don't have much time. I have to get ready. Come please. " she shouted. With a pout I dropped the idea of playing in water.

We directly went to the house and cleaned our feet ..

I had brought a mehendi colour lehenga for today's function. So I wore it. I did  minimal make up and wore a matching earings.

I wish I can apply make up in a better way. I am just good in eye and lip make up..

After taking a last glance of my reflection at mirror, I made my way towards function area.. Soha was sitting in the middle of the hall with Ram..

As soon as her eyes fell on me, she smiled at me.. I went to her and sat beside her.. She was looking heavenly beautiful.. I took "balaye" of her like my mom do and then put kalaa tikka on her neck to which she laughed..

The function started... The girls started dancing.. I was not in a mood to dance so I sat near Soha while the designer was applying mehendi..

My eyes fell on Abir who was laying on a sofa placing his head on his mom's lap.. He was wearing a white kurta..

His mom was caressing his hair and they both were busy in some deep conversation..

One of the mehendi designer asked me to apply mehendi on my hand and I nodded my head in a yes.

"Write 'Soha' on her hand, after all we both are soulmate. " Soha insisted to the designer to which she laughed and I chuckled.

When the designer was applying mehendi, my eyes was on Abir. Through I don't like him, but still my eyes were not in a mood to leave him.

'Mishtiiii! Stop staring at him like this. ' my inner soul screamed and I removed my eyes from him.

My left hand mehendi was done. She was applying mehendi on my right hand. Soha and Ram were busy in talking. All the family members were singing and dancing. It's only me who was getting bored.

I looked at Abir, a small girl was sitting next to him. She pointed her fingers towards me and nodding his head Abir started walking towards me. I got alert.

As he was just little away from me, I looked at him. Coming close to me, he bent down. But I sighed as he picked up one mehendi from the table and left .

He made her sit on his lap and started applying mehendi on her hand. After some time her mehendi got completed and she kissed his cheek and ran from their.

And all of a sudden he looked at me and I looked away. I pretended as if I didn't see him, as his eyes was on me only. I felt little conscious so I said the designer to complete my mehndi fast..

After some minutes she finished her work and I left from their. I went to Soha's room , because I had kept my phone there.

Just when I reached there my phone started ringing. It was from Aditya. I picked it with the help of my left hand. My left hand mehendi was almost dried.

Adi - Sorry yarr! I am calling you after 1 day.

"It's okay! But what are you doing that you did not even get time to call me back. " I asked him. He seemed little tensed.

Adi - Yarr my father in law is in hospital. His health is not well. And Aisha is pregnant. Too much stress yarr.

I felt bad for him. He was already in problem due to professional reasons and now all this.

"Don't worry! He will be fine. Take care of bhabi too. "

Adi - Hmm, but why did you call me?

"Nothing! I was just getting bored so called you.. We will talk later. " I did not say him about my house things. He was already in a problem, I can't add one.

Adi - Alright! But just tell me, why did not you inform me about Aarav's arrival. Are you okay?

From where he got to know.. We both are  childhood friends so he knows all my stories. He know how much I hate him.. What I had gone through after he left.

"Umm, who told you? " I asked him.. He don't talk with Mom and Chachi on a regular basis, so knowing this news from them seemed kinda impossible.

Adi - Aisha told me. Your mom has shared a photo on Instagram with him. He is still looking same.

"Okay! I will talk to you later" saying I cut the call. My heart beat was increasing in an alarming rate as I was opening my Instagram.

The first post was that only. Those beautiful black eyes, crimson red cheek, sharp nose, and his prettiest smile. My eyes got moistened. I started crying , all those memories of him started flashing in front of my eyes.

I sat on the floor as I could not stand anymore. I touched my phone screen. My vision got blurred. How much I missed you. Then I noticed the caption

" Just two of us missing our little heart - @ mishti_agarwal "

Why you left me? Was I that small that I could not have understood your problems? What did I do to deserve this pain? Did you never miss me?

All the questions were revolving around my head. In these last fourteen years I tried my best to hide my feelings. But today I couldn't do it.. These tears were not stopping..

"Mishti! "

I wiped out my tears as I heard Meera aunty's voice. I got up from the floor but she was just standing behind me. I kept a smile on my face.

"Mishti! You are crying.. Did anyone say something to you? What's wrong? " she looked tensed. I just shook my head.

"Then why are you crying? Look at your face.. Don't tell lie to me.. Tell me what happened? " she asked me holding my hand.

"Aunty! It's nothing. I was just umm - " I did not find a word which would convince her. I was just looking here and there.

"Okay! If you don't want to share with me, no problem. Just stop crying. I can't see you like this. " she said caressing my cheek. I nodded my head like a obligate child.

She grabbed my hand and made me sit on the bed. Taking her pallu in her hand she started wiping my messed up kajol and eye liner.

"Sit here! I am bringing some water and food for you. " saying she was just going I held her hand. Pulling her little towards me I pressed my head on her chest.

I never did anything like that before, but today her affection made me do that. She rubbed my back and I held her tightly. After some time I broke the hug looking at the floor..

"Meri bachhi! " saying she kissed my forehead. I smiled at her and she left. I licked my lips. Turning on the fan I sat on the bed. After some time Meera Aunty came with food.

She fed me and I just ate without saying anything.. To distract me, she asked various things about my likes, dislikes.. After that she too did her dinner and took all the dishes to kitchen.

I removed my mehendi and went to outside. Ram was feeding Soha. As soon as her eyes fell on me, she raised her eyebrows and I shook my head saying 'everything is okay'.

I felt sleepy so I went to upstairs. I saw Abir sleeping on a sofa in front of my room. I went to my room and closed the door. I had enough of crying. No more tears were left.

I changed my dress into a comfortable one and fell on the bed. Soha was constantly calling me, I messaged her to not disturb me because I am tired.

But only if she would let me sleep peacefully. I got up and opened the door as she was knocking. She was looking angry..

"What? " I asked her. Pushing me a little she closed the door and opened her phone. I got confused.

"What is this Mishti? " she asked showing me her phone. I looked at her phone screen. She was showing me Mom's post.

I went to my bed like nothing happened, she followed me.

"Can you please tell me, what is happening? " she asked me being angry.

I stayed silent. " Seriously , Aarav bhai has came and you did not even tell me? Why did he come now? When did he come? " she started with her question bank..

"The day I came here, that day he came. " I uttered.

"And you did not even feel like to share with me? " she complained.

"Please yarr! I don't want to talk about him. I want to sleep. Please.. I am tired" I begged her and she just nodded her head.

"Okay! Good night. " wishing me she left.. She got angry on my response. But I did not have any energy left to talk with her. I went to close the door.

I looked at the sofa, Abir was not there. I closed the door and fell on the bed. Soon sleep took over me.

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