N O T E

one of those rare days I'm writing the adding note before the chapter the reason being that I want you to keep an open mind and heart. I'm fairly positive that most of you won't like this chapter but this chapter is true to the characters. In ways, it's a wish fulfillment for Mira. Day 9 (both parts) top my list for my favorite chapter with a #1. It may not be deserving but it's a piece of me, a wistful part of me that still dares to dreams.

I hope you enjoy it.

" No oxygen, can barely breathe
My darkest sin, you've raised release
And it's all because of you, all because of you
I don't know what it is, but you've pulled me in
No one compares, could ever begin
To love me like you do"  - Selena Gomez, Nobody 

✿ Day 9 (1)

Atul should have been rejoicing about his new post. From being the project manager for Silicon Heights, he was now the new managing director of Wellington. Yet his eyes didn't hold happiness, no, as they watched the distant New York skyline glimmering in the night, they were sad. He stood in his room. It was dark. He hadn't bothered turning on the lights.

He wore a light pink shirt, it was almost the color of a deep-sea corals.

Coral pink is Mira's favorite color. For the first time in the entire day, a small smile formed on his lips as he tugged the cuffs of his shirt, examining them carefully. She would love this shirt.

And yet again, his mind lingered back to Mira. Why?

Eliana was everything every guy wanted in a girl- she was beautiful, smart, kind, and carried herself with such grace and dignity. He felt proud to show her off. He liked watching his cousins burn up with envy seeing his amazing fiancé.

But his happiness didn't seem to rest with her. He ran his hand through his hair, restless as ever. The clock was ticking closer and closer to hour of the party. But Atul couldn't have cared less.

Mira wasn't the type of girl you turn around twice to look at. No, she the type of girl that always ended disappearing in the crowd. She didn't stand out. She was average- average looks, decent mannerism, and somewhat intelligent. She wasn't the kindest person in the office. She helped whenever she was asked to.

On the other hand, Eliana was always providing a helping hand. She didn't think twice before trying to alleviate someone's pain.

But Mira was the one for whom his heart beat.

She was his friend. The best one he had in years. She understood him, she knew how to make him laugh, and she knew how he was feeling by just one look at his face. She was radiant, joyful, and a ray of positive energy.

She may not be the most beautiful, intelligent woman but she was the one who consumed his mind. In the crowds where she disappeared among other dazzling diamonds, Atul's eyes always found her. When her simplicity and extrovert nature was mistaken for her weakness, Atul knew that it was her strength.

When he had lost his younger brother to cancer, Eliana had tried to lessen the pain by trying to making him happy. She would message me him frequently, send sweet gifts, cook nice meals, kiss him regularly, and tell him how much she loved him.

But it was in Mira's company, he truly felt at peace. She never said anything. Just sat by him as they watched the distant sun. She knew his pain. She knew that no-matter what she said, it wouldn't lessen the hurt.

Some wounds took time to heal.

Eliana wasn't wrong. She did everything she could for him. It's just that she wasn't meant for him, she never had been. Though Eliana and Atul had a-lot in common, it was Mira's contrasting personality that filled the flaws in his own.

Atul pressed his forehead against the window. He was too bloody late. He let her go, he hurt her to an extent that couldn't be redeemed.

Just as the thought entered his mind, the cellphone buzzed in his pocket. It was Mira. His heart thudded painfully against the cage of his ribs.

"Mira?" Atul couldn't keep hesitation out of his voice. Yesterday's incident had scarred him permanently. How could Mira think that he used her to get closer to Eliana? Yes, he had been curious about her at the time; hence, the reasons for the questions but he genuinely enjoyed Mira's company, her bright smile and warm eyes.

"You were right." She sniffled loudly. He could hear her heavy breaths. "I can't live without you either."

There was a crash, followed by loud fits of sobs and laughter. The strings in his chest tightened, his eyebrows were drawn tightly together. "Mira, are you alright?"

"I'm alright. Silly." She laughed again. "I fell down. Opps."

"Are you drunk, Mira?" He moved back from the glass pane. The clocks were ticking closer to the hour of the party, New York City was becoming livelier, and the buildings were glowing with lights. Though the sky barely held any light, it rarely ever did.

"No, not at all."

He sighed and massaged his forehead with the tips of his fingers. "Where are you?"

"Where would I be, pagal?" He could hear the smile in her voice. Pagal-meant crazy. It was Mira's favorite nickname for him. "I'm at a strip club. Yo-hoo. Watch me go!!!! YAHHH"

Atul dropped his hand. "What!" He shrieked. "You can't be serious."

He was already pacing through the airy room, grabbing the keys to his car and a coat for Mira.

This girl was going to be the death of him.

"Of-course, I'm kidding. I'm home but it doesn't feel like home when I'm alone." All was silent for a minute. Atul felt his blood pressure lower and his breaths become slightly easy. She was alright. She was alright.

All was okay. Atul collapsed on the edge of his bed, the mattress sunk from his weight. The phone still pressed firmly against his ear. Mira was strangely quiet.

It took him a moment to realize why. The city lights flittered through the glass, illuminating the rough contours of his face, his tired eyes, and the few days' old stubble growing on his jaw. Strong shoulders were sunk low in defeat. Atul was always prided himself for knowing how to ease someone's pain.

All this while. He had been to the oblivious to the pain of his closest friend. Soft cries came from the other side. Clouds had settled in-front of his sun, the storm had become a part of her.

"Atul." Her voice was a small whisper, almost like that of a child sitting scared in the dark. "I'm done fighting."

Those three simple undid what numerous amount of 'I love yous' couldn't. Atul's eyes were firm with resolute determination as he stood up and headed outside. He had his own story. Life had given him numerous scars yet somehow these small words were greater than any other.

Humans were blood, flesh, and bones. No, humans were emotions, conscious, and love. Our lives may be short but it's never too late to fight against fate. Mistakes can always be rectified and hearts can always be saved.

"I'm coming."

✿✿✿

"Mira?" Atul rapped his knuckles against the worn oak door. There was an incoherent string of words emitted from the other side. He dug his hands into the steely grey trousers' pocket and pulled out his cellphone.

She picked up on the third try. "What is it Atul? Leave me alone." Mira had a good resistance to alcohol. When she was drunk, her speech and reflexes still remained intact. It was strange. Atul had seen her get drunk on many occasions and each time, she seemed unfazed by the toxin coursing through her veins.

He was usually the one to take care as Eliana couldn't stand the smell of alcohol. He didn't mind though, she usually fell asleep an hour or two later.

On one such drunk night, she had told him about her mother. It was heart-breaking. Atul was close to his mother and not being to rely on her seemed like a nightmare. He always wondered how Mira survived alone in the world where she couldn't even trust her own mother. It was a very scary thought.

"Sunshine, open the door, please." His free hand rested against the door. In all honestly, he was scared. She was drunk and sad. Those two things weren't the best combination.

She breathed heavily on the phone, as though she had been crying nonstop. Even her voice sounded hoarse. "No. No, no. I can't get up. I'm too tired."

"Where's the spare key, Mira? I knew you keep one outside. Where is it?"

She cackled, childishly. "Under the doormat."

He rolled his eyes and bent over on his knees. Indeed, lying beneath the grey welcome mat was a golden key. "She chooses the most obvious place to hide the key. I don't know if I should be worried or what."

He ended the call-unaware that the phone had slipped from his fingers. Instead of dropping into his pocket, it had landed on the doormat. He shoved the key into lock, the door clicked open a second later. The white linen curtains were parted in the living and the balcony door was open. He checked the balcony. It was empty.

After roaming aimlessly through her apartment, he finally found her. She lay on the bedroom floor, still in her office clothes- a burgundy suit and a pencil skirt. Pictures and beer bottles were scattered all over the floor. There were many newspaper cuttings of them together. There was also a picture of her mother and a starry mirror lying next to her knee.

She looked up. Atul nearly cringed at her state. Her eyes were bloodshot red. She gave him a crooked grin, tears frozen mid-way, hair from the tight bun jutting out in every direction, hollows under her eyes, and stress lines across her forehead.

He kneeled down next to her, stroking the strands of hair out of her unique almond shaped eyes. Their skins contrasted heavily, she was a beautiful olive tone and Atul skin's was a light brown shade. Though physically, they may not be the same. Their hearts were strung together with the same string.

"I'm sorry." His fingers knotted in her hair as caressed her forehead. With the back of his other hand, he wiped her tears, carefully. She watched him with soft smile and nuzzled her cheek against his warm palm.

"Mira." Atul's voice was painful whisper. "I'm responsible for your pain."

"Never." She brought her hand and gripped his hand that still rested against her cheek. A brief pause later, she added. "I got a call from India." Tears, like stars from the celestial heaven, fell from her eyes.

"What happened?"

She shook her head. "They wanted to talk about mom. The prison hasn't been treating her well. She's.... (sob)... been....(pause)... sick for a few months now. They called to inform that she might not get make it."

He eased her into his arms, pulling her close to his chest. She gripped his shirt tightly and buried her head into the crook of his neck. Atul traced circles on her back, it usually helped her calm down.

"I got you. I got you. "He murmured over and over again in her ear.

Slowly, the sobs that shook her body began diminishing. "To think, I was the one of who put her there." She spoke into his chest. "I still can't have anything bad happen to her."

When Mira had fourteen years old, her mother had violently beat till her the point she had to be hospitalized. The police looked into the case and the doctors had confirmed that she had been physically abused for several years. The police needed her confirmation to file the case against her mother. Just one word and all would be over, no more pain, and no more hurt. Mira told them the truth and her mother had been sentenced twenty-five years of imprisonment.

Mira was put in an orphanage where some people treated her kindly while most judged her bitterly.

When she was eighteen, she got a scholarship to study computer science at New York University. It didn't take Mira a second to leave her dark memories and head to America. She hoped her previous scars would heal here. She would find a better life, earn a living, and maybe find love.

But love wasn't something that could be found. It found you in the worst and most unexpected times. Like right now, in her hazy state, Mira felt a warmth in her chest, it soared from the center of her heart and spread into her toes. Every cell in her body emanating a strange bliss.

As Atul pressed his lips against her forehead, she felt peaceful.

"It wasn't your fault, Mira." Their hands fit together perfectly. Mira never wanted to let go. "She'll be okay. Tomorrow morning we can speak to the coordinators about her condition. If need be, we can go to India."

She shivered slightly and squeezed her eyelids tightly. "I can't go back. Too many people who will ask too many questions."

"Don't worry about it." Atul stroked her arm, half in thought, and half in worry. "I can go alone, alright?"

"You'll do that for me?" Big, happy eyes looked at him.

He nodded. "Anything for you."

She smiled, brightly and hugged him tightly. "I love you Atul."

He didn't need to think before replying. It was almost instinctive. "I love you too."

The world, all its happiness, light, good things had been gifted to her in that moment. Atul swore that there was nothing more satisfying than this feeling, than seeing her happy. He was willing to give up all his wealth to see her grin at him like that again.

"Come on." He lifted her off the ground and tugged her hand. "You need to get changed and brush your teeth."

She pouted, staring at him with mischief. "I don't want to."

"Mira." He spoke in his boss like commanding voice.

"Atul."

"You'll have bad breath in the morning."

She grinned. "Do you plan to kiss me?"

Atul nearly chocked on his spit. God, this girl. The sober Mira wasn't so direct. The drunk Mira was honest, flirtatious, and childish. He liked both sides, the one with the pink blush and the one with the daring smile.

"I don't know." Honestly, he had no idea what to say. His mind was already taking vacation at the mere thought.

"Then I'm not brushing my teeth. Good night." With that she collapsed on the rug and pretended to be asleep. In a comical manner, she kept one eye peeled open.

Atul tried to appear calm as he said the words. "Fine."

She perked up instantly. "So you'll kiss me tomorrow?"

He scratched the back of head, awkwardly and flustered. "I will attempt to kiss you tomorrow."

Atul didn't think it was possible for a human to jump up to action so fast. "Then what are we waiting for. I need to brush my teeth. Come on, quick!"

Laughing along at her excitement, Atul followed her to the bathroom.

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A/N I've been grinning like a idiot while writing this. I don't know about you. The goal for the next chapter is 14k reads or 100 comments on this chapter. Even if we don't reach our goal, it's okay. I'll be posting the next chapter in five days from now. (I'm not even sure if any of you would want to read from here onward.... Haha).