Her: Dont you think I am very cute, cool and weird.
Me: No you are not Phoebe. - I laughed mockingly
Her: Phoebe does not exist. She is just a character.
Me: Shut up, she does exist.
Her: And I am not unique ,why?
Me: No you are not, you are just like any other normal girl.
Her: Its all a facade my dear.
Me: And yet beneath that facade there lies a simple girl with simple dreams and needs.
Her: You barely know me.
Me: Oh no, I think I know you pretty well.
Her:Really?
Me: Yes, but I dont know if you'ld like to hear all of them. You can get furious.
Her: Who told you?
Me: Oh, please. Last time when I did not go to watch that boring movie, you banged my head against the wall , remember?
Her: Lol.
Me: And let me tell you one thing about me I hate that word.
Her: Lol, lol, lol,,.......................................
Me: Allright, keep saying it. I smiled at her childishness.That was a part of her I liked. It was just me with whom she was so child like, but to the world she was cold and stiff.
The time when her aunt died and the entire responsibility of carrying out the funeral and the rituals fell on her, I never saw her cry even for a single moment. She was unusually strong, and it seemed like she covered her emotions very much effortlessly which was a bit unusual in the moment of such grief. Later one night, when I went to meet her, to my surprise I found the front door open. I slowly stepped in, the living room was dark. Lights in every room was turned off. I called her twice but there was no answer. when I entered her bedroom I found her sitting on one corner, with her head bent over the pillow on her lap.
Her: Why are you here Neel.
Me: I just came in to check if you're fine. why didn't you close the door?
Her: I am fine , you leave please.
Me: I understand Meghna, the recent circumstances had been so tough for you. But I want you to realise that I am there beside you , you'll never walk alone.
Her: I miss my dad, my aunt. I wish they hadn't died.
Me: It will be fine Meghna. I tried to hugg her so that she would feel better, but that moment something happened which blew my mind.
Her: Sympathising with me huh?- Her face was finally visible. I could never have pictured her like that even in the worst of my dreams- nothing changed but there was something in that expression which made chill shiver run down my spine. In a moment she became unrecognizable, a perfect stranger.
Her: You know when people are dead, what happens? They are burnt into ashes. Have you smelt them ever neel? The burnt flesh. Have you ever been to any mourning ceremony and listened to the endless pain and suffering meted out in tears. And do you know, once we are dead we never come back, never.
She kept glaring at me and I knew that it was not her. There was something venomous in the way she looked as if the devil was speaking for her. I was afraid her miseries had taken over her and turned her into something I was unaware of. Surpassing all my inner fear I calmed her down and managed to get her some sleep through sleeping pills.
The next morning I was a bit taken aback when I found both of us sharing the same blanket. Perhaps I too fell asleep the other night in an attempt to make her sleep. She looked beautiful with all her curls flowing down her face. I slowly brushed it aside to get a clear picture of her. No, she didnt appear like the night before instead she looked more radiant and vibrant in that morning light. I did not want to take an advantage but at the same time could not resist to kiss her thin, soft lips and finally had to submit to my urge. She was still sleeping then, her heavy breath brushing against mine.
"This is wrong"- I realised and forcefully drew myself back. Meanwhile she opened her eyes looking at me questioningly.
Me: "You wanna have some coffee?"
Her:What are you doing in my bed?"
Me: "Nothing, I will tell you later".
But i never did. I never knew what was that what happened the other night but telling her about it would upset her more. In phase of extreme grief people often act like that and that was quite understandable but years later something happened which made me recall about the incident.
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Here comes the 20th part of the series. When I started this series I never thought I would have the patience to continue so far and I did and this was only because of a few inspirative comments that I received here on launchora. Thank you guys, keep reading, because as long as you read, I write :)