Chapter 81 Maha Chapter.

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Shishir's POV.

I stared at the little sleek box in front of me.

Did she really send this to me?

This is not like her at all.

On opening the 2nd gift parcel two packages had popped out with 'open this first' written on the small sleek one.

A cigarette case? I know I had mentioned few times to her that I want to try smoking but each time she had insisted I should not.

In my mid teens it had seemed to my mind that it would make me look 'cool' if I held one in my hand and had even practised some poses with rolled up paper.

But my Suvi had soon knocked off that idea when she had looked so disappointed with me.

Now, years later I am feeling disappointed with her for choosing this gift.

I tried to shake away the feeling and fingered the smooth surface of the box. She must have wanted to please me and had thought this will make me happy.

Taking a deep breath in my attempt to lift my mood I opened the box.

In a split second I had to close my eyes as a strange sensation hit my face.

Squinting my eyes open a bit I touched my face with a finger and stared at it. My whole body vibrated as laughter rolled out of me.

A trick box. A dark sticky blue liquid had squirted out when I had pried open the lid.

Chuckling I looked inside the packet and out rolled a note.

Don't even think of ever trying! Got it?

Smiling goofily I muttered "Yes Ma'am."

Reaching out I opened the other packet that the parcel had contained.

Rolls of paper and dozens of sketch pencils. I drew in my breath as my eyes saw them.

I had started sketching after a few months of being in London. It helped me to fight my loneliness and take hold of all the bitter emotions that had been raging within me.

She knew. She must have asked Paresh about me.

What she could not have known though was the fact that the first portrait sketch I had ever made had been hers.

Not a perfect one, but one that had made me miss her even more and I had flung it inside my cupboard angrily.

Such a dolt I had been over the years.

Reaching out for the next parcel I paused for a moment. I had seen just two year's gifts and was already feeling emotionally drained should I open another?

Deciding I should, I started unwrapping.

One of your choice and one of mine- yours to be opened first.

Even the simplest of notes from her can make my heart dance crazily.

Opening the said packet I almost jumped for joy at the sight that met my eyes.

She found it! I had been wanting to buy it so desperately all those years ago but no shop had seemed to have it. Most shopkeepers had given me a weird look as though I had been asking for the moon.

The Beatles signature tie.

The band members' faces on the tie made me smile deliriously. I had always been fascinated with that band, even though the band had ceased to exit long before I had even been born.

I put it around my neck casually, my heart overwhelmed with double happiness. One, she remembered and managed to find something I had so desperately wanted. Second at last I had this tie!

As I picked up the other packet excitement course through me. this contained something of her choice.

You may find this a bit girly, but I really think they will be comfortable for you. Use them please? Even if it is only in your room.

I smiled. Of course I will use whatever it is.

My smile froze when I saw what was inside.

She cannot be serious!

What does she mean by they will be comfortable for me?!

Suvi I love you with all my heart.

But-

A bra?!

I picked up the offending item gingerly, with my fingers barely clutching the - er -strap.

It took a monumental effort to touch the denim cloth with some furry patch in the middle.

Did she have to get something so articulately designed.

What am I even thinking!

Had it been simpler in design would I have been okay with - with- this!

Silly Shishir!

"Suvi!" I groaned. "What do I do with you, you weird girl?" I shook the blundering item and almost fell back in shock when something fell out of it.

Peering down I saw it was a piece of paper, folded neatly.

Picking it up I knew It was a note from my crazy girl.

Look again dumbo! It's not what you think it is!

Frowning I stared at it again and then brought it to my face and started laughing clutching it tightly.

They were shoes!

Freaking bedroom shoes!

I pulled at one side and slowly opened them still laughing.

Then it occurred to me- how did she know I had not reliased they are shoes at first?

I opened the note further.

Yes, Yes. Initially even I had thought them to be- what I am sure you must have thought they are!

Laughing I kept the note aside and put the shoes on. I had already removed my trousers and shirt sometime back for comfort.

I looked at the sketch pencils and on a whim picked up one and placed it behind my right ear smiling goofily.

These were gifts from my girl. I have five more parcels but I need to have my girl in front of my eyes now.

Leaning backwards I rested my back on the side of her bed and closed my eyes, allowing the feel of her love to wash over me.

"Do you think it's work pressure?"

"I would say it's his worry for Suvarna that got him."

I groaned into my hands. "Paresh and Danny!" I opened my eyes and saw them both looking at me with a weird expression, making me glance down at myself.

Right.

I can imagine what a sight I must be making right now.

In black shorts, faded green T shirt- with a blue denim bedroom shoes on my feet-with the yellow fur patch around where I put my feet in. To complete my look I had a vintage tie loosely tied around my neck and a pencil stuffed behind an earlike a labour. Not to forget my face that is still covered with the bluish tinge of the liquid from the trick box.

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Break time!

Shishir must be a sight to behold  -LOL! And no Suvi did not send him a bra- Haha! For few moments he did believe he had a comfortable one!

Gifts from Suvi- have to come with her touch of Suviness- haha!

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Suvarna's POV.

"Shishir where are you taking me?" I laughed as he made me close my eyes and led me by my hand.

"Sit." I heard me say and then felt his hand guide me onto a chair.

My eyes jerked open when I felt it move "A Wheelchair! Shishir I can walk."

"Shh- Suvi no cheating. It's a surprise. Close your eyes." He protested and I closed my eyes.

It is impossible not to listen to this man when he has made up his mind about something. It's good I am getting discharged today.

Last night I had sent him away to open the gifts and just after opening three he was back with me.

I could not help the smile that pulled at my lips thinking about his reactions. I had laughed like crazy on seeing the photo Paresh had clicked of his. Tie over his shorts and T shirt and he had actually put on those shoes! His face was all blue and inky. A giggle escaped me.

Engrossed in my thought I did not realise the wheelchair had come to a halt.

"Shishir can I open my eyes now?"

No response.

"Shishir?"

"Shishir!"

"No need to panic. This will not take more than a minute."

My eyes flew open at the strange voice. A nurse- the same one who had wiped my face yesterday when I had just regained consciousness was standing in front of me with a syringe in hand.

What is going on?

"Where is Shishir?" I asked her while eying the sharp needle in her hand.

Is she planning to prick me with that nasty thing?

"Your fiancée?" she gushed making me glare at her. She may be a kindly lady but why is she smiling while taking Shishir's name?

Not that I am jealous- of course not!

"He mentioned you are scared of injections so he set you up and left you here." The nurse with the nasty needle giggled while I glared at her before gulping at the approaching nastiness.

"Where is he?" I asked trying to take my hand out of her reach.

"Aww- he is such a darling. He had already told us he cannot bear to see you in pain, so he is waiting outside the room for you."

The big fraud! He knew I am going to bite his head off for this trick so he ran away.

"OWWWWWWWWWWW-"

"Why are you screaming?" the nurse asked frowning at me.

"The needle is hurting me." I said dramatically rubbing my right arm.

She smirked at me. "I have already taken your blood sample- from your left hand."

Oops. Busted.

What did she say?

"Blood sample? Why did you take out blood from me? So much of it? I know you will need only a few drops." I huffed and she started laughing.

She went to the door ignoring my ranting "You can come in now my dear."

And in walked Shishir, grinning from ear to ear. "My drama queen." He said softly coming to stand near me.

I angrily hit away the hand he had extended to help me and stood up. He continued to grin as he turned to the nurse who was looking at us with an amused expression.

"Thank you so much for taking care of her." He said and I immediately felt guilt wash over me.

The nurse had indeed taken good care of me in the last twenty four hours or so. She had been sweet and very patient towards me.

Smiling at her I walked towards where she stood. "Thank you -Sister Susan." I said softly and she raised a hand to touch my cheek tenderly.

"Take care of yourself."

***

"You are not going to talk to me?"

I ignored the man and got inside the car.

How dare he trick me into believing he has a surprise for me and leave me alone in there!

"You look so sweet when you are pissed." I hit repeatedly at his hands as the pulled at my cheeks.

"Stop babying me!" I glared at him. "You abandoned me when I needed you to be beside me."

"And stop laughing at me - you -you betrayer!" I snapped as he rolled his head back and laughed harder.

"Aww- my sweetheart needed me for a blood test." He grinned winking at me as he set the car into motion.

"It is a painful experience you insensitive man."

"Ha!"

"What do you mean 'ha'?"

"I mean you would have run off if you would have got even the slightest hint of that test."

Naturally. Why would I wait to have a nasty needle suck blood from my body?

"That is besides the point." I said and he shot me a smug look and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Jerk." I muttered.

"I love you too sweetheart."

I stuck my tongue out at him before turning my face away from him.

***

"Hey what happened baby?" Shishir asked as he bent down to lift Pinky up into his arms.

It had already been a few hours since I had come back home and I was feeling overwhelmed at all the fuss and attention I was getting from everyone. When I had seen Pinky run in I had felt delighted but then we saw her tearful face.

I went closer and patted her hair as Shishir held her lovingly in his lap.

"D- d-ad said " *Sniff* "th-at I am going to" *sob sniffle* "have a baby brother or sister."

"That is good news baby. You should be happy about it." Shishir said gently patting her face and she nodded in agreement.

"I am happy." *sniffle* "But Mummy-" she let out a loud wail "Mummy ate- ate the baby."

What??

I looked on helplessly not sure how to react and saw Shishir patting her back tenderly. "Baby why do think so?"

"She said so." Pinky said looking ready to start crying again. "I asked her to show me the baby and she" *wail* "-she pointed towards her tummy."

I turned my face away not wanting her to see my smile. Luckily our grandfathers and Raghunath uncle are in their rooms right now.

But Paresh of course had no sense in him and started laughing "Silly girl!" he said ruffling the sweet darling's hair "She did not eat the baby."

"Then how did the baby get inside Mummy's tummy?" Pinky asked him.

"Um?" Paresh raised his eyebrow and I did not know if I should laugh at him or run away before that question could get directed towards me.

I saw Shishir trying to control his laughter as he looked at Paresh's stumped expression.

"You are right. She might have eaten the baby." Paresh awkwardly mumbled and I slapped my hand on my forehead trying not to laugh.

Luckily Lily came in just then. She grinned at me before reaching out to take Pinky from Shishir.

After some cajoling she went to her mother and I smiled as I saw Lily whisper something into Pinky's ear. She smiled at us and moved towards the door "I want two scoops of chocolate and three of strawberry-" I heard Pinky trail off and grinned.

Ice cream- solution to all problems. Well for most of them.

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Break time!

Shishir tricked Suvi! He is also a big brat -haha! And at last someone managed to get Paresh tongue tied. LOL!

Don't worry guys - interesting things ahead!

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Suvarna's POV.

"Shishir?" I look around trying to locate him. He was beside me just now. Where did he go?

"Listen if this is another of your silly 'surprises' I swear Shishir I am going to behead you!"

I heard a soft chuckle and turned my head in that direction -only to come face to face with a dark curtain.

Where am I? I have never been to this room of his apartment before. There are curtains all around barring the small gap for the entrance to the room

The lights went out suddenly, making me gasp.

Around me all my eyes can gaze upon is darkness.

"Shishir?" I said softly.

I could feel his presence even though I could not see anything.

It's pitch dark. And silent.

"I hate you Suvi." I went still.

"You are a selfish liar.

I don't want to see you ever again.

If our path's ever cross again I will ensure to make life difficult for you.

These-"

There is a pause and a sharp intake of breath- his- before he continued.

"-are just some of the lies I had been telling myself over the years my Suvi. The truth is I wanted nothing more than to be with you. To laugh with you. To feel your happiness, to take away sadness from you. But-"

He paused and I took a step in the direction where his voice had been coming from. The spotlight moved with me and I realised there was probably some sensor attached that made it automated to my movement.

I need to see him. It's frustrating not to be able to see him and hear only his voice. His pain rippled through his voice. I did not need to see his face to realise his emotions.

"-my anger blinded me from seeing the truth."

"Shishir -" I was desperate to feel him. I tried walking in the direction of his voice but he would keep moving.

"Suvi- do you know who helped me in overcoming my pain and hurt that your memories gave me?" his voice was soft- like caress as it floated in the darkness towards me.

I shook my head silently knowing he can see me.

"YOU Suvi- you did." His voice went even softer, almost like purring and I felt a shiver run through me.

It was like he was touching me through his voice.

"I made new memories - with you in them." Shishir's voice came from very close behind me and I spun around but I knew he had already moved away a bit.

Another soft light came on and I felt my head snap expectedly in that direction. My mouth fell open.

"My first portrait sketch." The soft voice held an uncertainty in it this time.

"It's me." I said softly running my fingers over it.

"You could make out it's you?" happiness and surprise took over from the uncertainty that had been in his voice.

"Of course." I said running my finger over it. Eyes- mouth- stubborn slant of my chin- of a teenaged me- the memory that had been fresh in his mind then.

"This room- is my bitter sweet memory room Suvi."

Suddenly another light came on "Our school." I whispered in awe as another sketch came into view. "The tree we used to sit under and have lunch." I felt my breath hitch as one by one more spotlights came to life over more sketches.

I started walking and touching them randomly. Our childhood -our memories -seemed to have come to life right here in front of me.

There were so many! I ran my eyes through some of them.

The make shift swing Shishir had made for me on an old banyan tree in our backyard, the volleyball net over the swimming pool at his house, the steps outside the small shop near my house where we used to sit and share our Coke, the- I giggled as I realised what it was- the lizard I had sneaked into the math's class on the day of Algebra test, Shishir sitting on the floor on his knees-

I froze as the last dialect in my mind registered. I turned completely towards it- There he was - at last visible- and no memory this one.

I stared at him, not able to take away my eyes from him.

I felt my breath whoosh out of my lungs as my eyes caught the glittering stones in between his thumb and index finger. He smiled at me- with so much love reflecting in his eyes that I thought my heart would burst just at the sight of it.

Then I realised I was actually staring at his reflection - in a mirror right in front of me.

"Suvi-" Goosebumps pricked on my neck at his voice from behind me.

I just have to turn around and I will see him, I will be able to touch him-

I need to turn around- I want to turn around- all I have to do is break eye contact with him through the mirror.

It's like I have been glued to him by our eye lock.

"Suvi-"

His voice is persuasive. With a supreme effort I tear my eyes away from his reflection and turn around- I feel I am tied by some invisible strings that are restricting my movements.

Slowly, ever so slowly I manage to turn around.

His eyes hold a silent question as he continues to kneel down- His chest heaves up and down as though he is also having difficulty in breathing.

"I want to tell you I will always keep you happy" he says softly "but I will not say it" his lips twitched as he continued "because I know how silly I can be and will most likely cause you pain for no fault of yours."

I wanted to tell him that is not true, but my lips refused to do their duty. They remained shut, enclosing my tongue and ability to speak within them.

"But I want to be the one to take away the sadness that most probably I will only cause you."

This made me smile as he frowned at his own words before smiling again at me "I want to be the one you reach out to share your happiness, to lean your head on to take away your sorrows, to be the one who holds your hand," he frowned again "To be the only one allowed to hold your hand"

I felt my lips pull into a small smile at these last words.

"Suvarna Sharma will you please do me the honour of agreeing to complete my life? Please- will you marry me Suvi?"

I don't know when I reached him or when I silently held out my left hand. I tried to speak but my tongue was still under the capture of my lips. I nodded silently.

The look on his face at that moment is something that has been etched to my memory

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