CH 3 || Wish

21 August 2010

Anvi

******

“The Red Journal”

‘Just Be You,

And The One You Adore So Much will Come To See You.’

Ah! Why can’t I decipher the meaning of it?

It was so frustrating to solve the riddle. I pulled my hair in frustration and the passer-by gave me weird looks. Composing myself, I behaved normally and smiled at them which only made them look at me with pity, as if I am insane. Of course, they will think of me like that, otherwise which sane person pulls his/her hair in a public park.

I have read The Red Journal and to be honest, I didn’t find anything to be worried about, but it feels like jumbled words to me and I hate solving riddles.

If I get the chance then I will go back in time to stop the person from inventing this weird thing.

Who plays with words?

Anyways, I got to know that this journal belonged to my great grandfather. Isn’t it a very astonishing fact? He had written some important and very interesting facts about his life in it.

But after a few pages, there was a note.

Read further if you are brave enough to do the dare.

It didn’t seem like a threat, but a challenge, and being the curious head, I accepted it.

There were certain rules which I found intriguing. Never have I ever heard of rules being in a journal.

Rules:-

1. Don’t back out.

2. Complete the dare.

3. Never share the secret of this journal with anyone.

4. Don't dare to make any wish before the completion of all your dares.

Breaking any of the rules will result in severe consequences.

The rules were absurd to me, so I didn't pay much heed to them.

The first page after the rules was dated 23 August 2010 which said

‘Just be you and the one you adore so much will come to see you.’

I was not able to comprehend these two lines. I have tried for the last two days but all my efforts went in vain. I thought to read further and turned the pages but they were empty.

That’s it? Now I doubt, is it even the same journal Uncle and Aunty were talking about?

I Kept the journal in my bag and went home.

“Where were you?” Arpit asked

“In the park.”

“You should have told me. We would have gone together.”

“Calm down, it’s not a haunted park and the ghosts will eat me up.”

“Sssshhh. What are you saying? If Badi maa will listen that you were talking about ghosts she will scold you. Did you forget that it is forbidden to talk about these non-existent creatures?” Arpit whispered, placing a finger on my lips.

Removing his finger I said, “Ok, fine. what’s not forbidden in this house?”

I was already frustrated and now Arpit made me more. I can’t even talk freely in my own house.

I am tired of this forbidden thing. Can you imagine eating bitter gourd is forbidden in our home?

Although I don’t like it, still how can a vegetable be forbidden?

It feels like I was born tied with the list of forbidden things.

At night, the dinner table was filled with not so humorous jokes of grandpa and grandma.

“Anvi, why are you not eating? Are you fine?” Bhaiya asked as my mind was still on the journal.

“Yeah,” I said, smiling.

“There is a party at Sudhir’s house, next week. I am informing all beforehand so that you guys can apply for leaves.” Mom announced.

“I can’t. I have a test.”

“There is no test on that day. Sudhir’s daughter has told me.” Mom replied. Her tone was stern enough to let me know that she will not accept any excuse.

Sudhir Uncle is dad’s distant cousin. He is very nice but I didn’t want to go to the party because of his daughter Ahana. I hate her, She is a spoiled brat and still, everyone adores her.

“I will not go.”

“No one has asked. You will go and that’s final.” Mom said, a bit loudly.

Bhaiya held my hand under the table to stop me, but I back answered Mom, for the very first time in my life.

“I will not go even if you force me to, I won’t.”

“Anvi.” Bhaiya glared, but I didn’t stop.

“Why are you all looking at me? Did I say something wrong? Why is there no room for our choices? Bhaiya wants to live in India after school but he is not allowed, and Arpit wants to join a football club in school but he stays silent because taking part in clubs is goddamn forbidden in our so-called reputed Shekhar family. And coming to me, What do you know about me? Do you know, last month I fell from the terrace when you went to your so-called associate’s business party in London.”

Mom looked astounded as if she wasn’t aware but I know she knew.

“Anvi, enough,” Bhaiya shouted.

“Adhyan ” Grandpa glared at Bhaiya and then looked at me with a stern face

“Anvi, go to your room. Your food will be sent,” he said

“Why should I? Does anyone love me? I guess no one, dad did but he left me alone with all of you. He should have taken me with him.”

That’s when I felt a stinging pain on my right cheek. Mom slapped me. She never raised her voice on anyone not even on the employees of our company, but today she raised her hand on me. I knew I was wrong but I didn't expect that she would raise her hand.

Tears pooled up in my eyes and I ran back to my room. I cried till my tears dried and after a while, someone knocked.

I didn’t reply, whoever it may go away. But it didn’t happen.

I heard the sound of the door being opened but I didn’t turn around

“I hope my niece doesn’t get angry about entering without her permission.” my uncle asked, playfully.

Wiping tears instantly, I turned around giving him a faint smile.

He came and sat beside me, “You know, you were Bhaiya’s favourite child.” Uncle stated but I never noticed dad showing any favouritism towards me.

“But dad never did any partiality with Bhaiya or Arpit.”

“I never said he was partial. He adored you more than the boys. You know why?”

“Why?”

“He used to say that you are his replica. He believed that you will be stronger than the boys and you will never stand anything wrong, neither with yourself nor with your loved ones.”

I didn’t understand what was the point of all this but he continued,

“I saw Bhaiya’s image in you when you kept your point in front of everyone, but there was a difference.”

“What?”

“The way you chose was wrong. If Bhaiya would have been there he would have tried to talk calmly with Bhabhi and make her understand his point with valid reasons.”

“I know I did wrong and I am ashamed of it.” I was truly ashamed of my deed.

“It’s fine. Now, when you have accepted it, why don’t you repent your mistake then?” I knew what he meant but will Mom listen to me?

“Don’t think much. Just go.”

I went to Mom’s room and knocked at the door. The door opened revealing her smiling face. Holding my hand she took me in and brought a first-aid kit from the cabinet beside her bed.

After making me sit, she applied the ointment on my cheek which had marks on her fingers. Even though she was smiling, I could still see the pain in her eyes. I hugged her tight.

“I am sorry, Mom. I didn’t want to hurt you. I am extremely sorry .”

She caressed my hairs lovingly and said,

“It’s fine, sweetheart. Never say it again that you should have gone with your father. I am living for you and Adhyan only.”

I started bawling, Soothing me she stopped me from crying and said, “eat something. I can’t let my sweet little daughter starve.”

We both went to the dining hall and had dinner together. I told her about all the recent events of my life, she wasn't aware of. It was after so long we spent quality time. It felt like good old times and I wish everything can go back to how it was before, I WISH.