Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 13

A week passed. Ajay's wound was slowly healing. Both Ajay and Mitha, couldn't draw conclusion on what was happening between them. They felt attracted to each other. Ajay, was getting used to her care and nurture. Mitha, on the other hand was making sure that she was falling head over heels for him. Time and again, they started ignoring each other. But this time, Ajay was too strong that he shouldn't fall for her. He was still not placing confidence on Mitha. He didn't want to lose himself to her.

While, Ajay ignored her all the way she felt bad for herself. She couldn't help but feel bad for her broken heart. She still couldn't label the feeling as love, yet she felt good like she had never felt before, with anyone else.

One morning, when Ajay found Mitha sitting at the dining table waiting for him. He made a poker face and neared the table and started chewing down his toast. Mitha, was sitting silently looking at him, and thinking if she should ask him out about why wasn't he spending time with her and Divya. Actually, before few days it was only for Divya, but now that he had started avoiding her, she couldn't fly in the face of the actual pact that was indeed decided!

"Ajay!", she let out her aquake voice that hit his ears. He chinned up and responded,"Yes?"

"We've to talk something now!", she said, hooking her eye brows up in frustration, that had gotten her up for granted.

Ajay, let a sigh escape from his lips and muttered,"I've to go now! I've my business."

"This is what i want to talk about!", she said and looked at him, deeply!

He didn't answer but expected her to talk. She continued,"I know that you've your business. But you've your sister too. Stop seeing her just as a responsibility. You're not her guardian but her brother. Please!", she pleaded with so much of patience. Ajay, couldn't respond her. He never expected her to talk about all these. He just looked at his plate, without taking his head up again.

"You've to realize that you're the one and only person, who Divya has! And in reverse you've her!", her lowest tone echoed everywhere there because, it was only her who spoke.

"Please don't stay the same, if you want her to recover soon! It's in your hands to make her get back her consciousness! And i also, know you won't give a damn to spare some time for me, that's why I didn't bother to ask you about it! But she is not just same as me. Divya is your sister!", she said whatever came to her mind at that time without looking at his eyes. Because, she didn't want to reveal her weakness to him by seeing him. Tears, had already cracked out! Holding back her tears, was the most important thing that she had to do, at that time. His heart clenched! He wanted to twinge himself, for listening to those words from her. He couldn't help but feel crappy, for being so self-centered to her.

"This is what I wanted to say. And i add that it is your wish! After all, who am I to force you to do anything. I felt that, it is my duty to tell you! And i did.", she said and looked up at him inhaling a hush of air. All she found was humiliated Ajay, dropping his head down in shame of being so stupid these days. She talked really less today, but even then when she let her words sneak in to his ears and his heart too, she felt bad.

"Thanks...For sitting here for ten minutes, listening to my feckless speech!", she said and got up from the chair and entered her room. She didn't bother to check out his reaction. She was both scared and sad, for talking like that dryly, to him; for making him hang down his head in shame; for not pampering him while he was feeling low. She locked up in her room, and let her tears flow down, like a cascade. She had always been adoring Ajay, and dreaming her life with him, but when he started ignoring her once again, she fathomed the fact that she had no chances with him! She embraced that he had too many insecurities with everyone he had. She wanted him to get rid off his insecurities and grumpiness! She wanted him to be Ajay, Divya's brother! She wanted him to be same old happy, smiling Ajay. Oh yes, she came to know that he had changed into a loner, only after his break up with Sana. How could he even think that everyone else in the world would also, betray him like his girlfriend did! She wanted to change that perspective that he had generally.

Whilst, she was sobbing turbulently, inclining back to the closed door; crashing down to the earth; closing her pretty face, that was dunked in soreness, Ajay got up wearily, hanging his face down, walked down and climbed to his car. He wanted to come out of the darkness, in which he willfully continued to live all those days.

During the time, Mitha was whimpering being unable to hold back the emotions that's been assassinating her since few days. This time, it was too much to handle and she was crying her life out, for hiding about Siddharth; for getting attracted to Ajay; for being too feeble in front of him; and for making him feel bad.

What they say? Ah.. Wavelength! That's what good friends have! By chance, Deborah rang up Mitha, to talk to her since it's been a little while.

Mitha, wiped her tears off and let the phone ring; while she trudged towards the privy to clean her face, to toss out her dried tears; and soothe her pinkened face. Once, she was out of the rest room, she picked up her phone and called back Deborah.

"Hey, Bon-bon!", deb chuckled on taking up her call in a ring.

"Deb!", she coughed and words struggled to escape her lips. Her lips were vibrating out of agony.

"My god! Bon-bon, you're weeping!!",Deb found it out. After all, she was her best friend.

"Deb!", she said nothing but her name. She couldn't control the overwhelmed tears, that were seeping out just because that Deborah found out that she wasn't normal.

"Bon-bon! Unwrap the truth! What's happening there? You're just not fine. You're not supposed to be like this.", Deborah being unstoppable, rambled out what she felt.

"This is becoming out of control. I.. i am so.. I am so sorry!", Mitha mumbled, closing her eyes, compressing her lips; as the last words that she uttered were a mere whisper.

"Why do you want to be sorry? You're a strong woman, Bon-bon! You're not someone who cries for silly stuff that happen in life to knock you down!", Deb said in a soft tone that made Mitha, listen what she said.

"Stop crying Bon-bon! Gather up your courage and do what you want to do. Just don't get down. And remember why you started this!",she said and paused for a moment.

"Deb! I will call you back in sometime.", Mitha excused herself, being immersed in what Deb said.

"Okay! Take care.",Deborah chortled and they hung up. Mitha, started to think and analyze about for what did she weep so hard. When she had to see the whole thing, and re-analyze it, everything seemed to be a little unfair; yet solvable.

She had hope and confidence, to make everything alright; to make Ajay feel better and to make him talk to Divya. She wiped off, the cascading tears, and wrote down the list of things that has to be done by her, to make everything play on right strings.

On staring at the scribbling pad, contentedly she decided to inform Deb that she was okay now.

"Deb!", she chuckled on hearing her picking up the phone on the other side.

"Ah.. See.. Someone is cool now!", Deb chortled.

"I am okay now! Thank you so much. You know, it was just a push that i needed to make sure to myself, if what i am doing is right or wrong!", Mitha said, playing with her long hair.

"That's good babe! So, what're you gonna do next?", Deb questioned, being intrigued by Mitha's tone.

"Uhmm.. I have to make him talk to Divya!", She said and sighed.

"Welcome on board Mitha Ajay Rish! All the very best!!", Deb cackled!

"Thank you Deb!",Mitha giggled and they hung up.

Mitha, let out a heavy exhale and went in to take her much needed shower. She changed into her baggy shirt, and capris; and came to Divya! Only today, after taking steps to make Ajay's bond stronger with Divya, Mitha felt that she was really helping her to recover.

That day was spent busily, in sorting out things and planning things on how to talk to Ajay about this, with her scribbling pad. Finally, when she recalled the whole plan, she felt it satisfying and decided to make it happen. She decided not to talk to Ajay, as soon as he comes.

As planned, she finished eating supper, before Ajay could come back home. She then went and installed herself, into her mini bean bag, with her laptop. As she had, guessed Ajay came to her doorstep, immediately after reaching home. When she came and sneaked a look at her, she was busy tapping her laptop keys, with a real candid reaction over swarming her face. She knew that he was standing there, but she decided not to bring it out that she knew. Ajay, waited there for her to notice him. But.. Ah.. Who she is! She didn't give up this time. She was sincerely rolling her eyes, facing her laptop.

Ajay, hunkered out a wheeze and neared her and freed his throat. This time, she looked up at him, and without leaving any kickbacks, she inhumed her head into the laptop screen.

"What're you doing?", he finally asked, brushing his stubble, bending down behind her, parallel to her. She sensed that he was in hand, only after breathing in few huffs of his scent. He was that close; but anyhow his aim was to sneak in to the laptop to check what was she sincerely browsing, without even flashing on his entry.

"I.. i am just applying for a job!",She said, handicapping herself from turning to his side. But if she did, her nose and lips would brush his fuzz.

"What the duck!", he yelled going back to his normal stature.

"I AM GOING TO APPLY FOR A JOB!", she emphasized each and every word, and now seeing him.

"But you're already in a job!", he said , wrinkling his face, leaving out a disgusted reaction.

"I know.. But Divya is going to get back to normalcy soon. So, once she is back on her wheels, my job is over! After that, however i have to search a job!"

"But why now?", Ajay couldn't withstand what she had just opened up. She said that she was going to leave somewhere else. It felt like a thousands of thunderstorms cracking out, right above his head.

"I was just seeing, about how much scope do i have as a Family Medicine Graduate. But don't worry, I won't be leaving this in half way!", she said casually and got back to her laptop.

Ajay, steamed out an exhale and excused himself, to his room and changed into his trousers and tee. He walked towards the  dining table to have his supper, as Mitha had already informed that she finished her's. While, Ajay was about to finish his plate Mitha came out of her room and stood before him.

"Uh. It's boring! So, i thought.. Uh.. I thought, I would just go out for a relaxing walk.", she said looking down at the floor. Ajay, finished his meal and sipped in some water and said,"So, wait! I will come along!"

It is a belittlement, if it is said that Mitha was just jumping up and down, thoughtfully. That's what she wanted! That's what her plan was; that's what she was expecting him to say. For the first time, something that she had anticipated eagerly, had happened with Ajay.

"It's okay, Ajay! You don't have to come all along; you're not my boy friend to protect me!", she twisted her lips and folded her hands, close to her breasts.

He looked straight into her eyes, and walked along the path that lead to her. He paused, right there, at a foot distance; and said," I know.. i am not your boy friend!"

"But.. i am your husband!", he said whispering near her that made her ears tingle! The hot air that had just hit her from him, overran on her face.

"Ah.. Yes.. Yes..ohhkaayy.. okay! Join me soon? I will wait down.", she stammered plainly and started walking away from her, letting a victorious smile dance on her face.

Ajay, cleaned his hand and put on his shoes and followed her down. She was standing down at the garden, and he within few strides, reached her.

"Shall we..?", Mitha asked pointing out the gate.

Ajay, gave out a slight nod and then they hit the road.

Mitha was unpredictably silent that day, which made Ajay, rack his brain!

"Someone is too silent today! How did your manufacturing defect, put back together?", Ajay smirked and let out a giggle. He wanted to be nice to her, despite that he had not still responded her for her morning talk.

"I am not silent! I am just waiting for your answer!!", Mitha gazed at him, lopsidedly.

His face reconstructed into a different reaction immediately, and he asked.

"I know, whatever i am doing is.... Just so stupid!", he said dropping down his head, as they walked forward.

Mitha, paused for a second and asked,"Shall we go to the sea front, for sometime?", she asked.

"As you wish!", he said and they scrolled forward.

"So..., tell! What you do is just stupid.. And then?", she asked leering at him.

"Yeah! I am just.. I don't know! I don't want to get involved in emotions. I don't want to trust anyone blindly. I just don't want anyone!", he said wearily! Merely, he just whispered being distressed.

"Look at me!",she said stopping there for a moment.

He was still hanging his head, down staring at the sand which appeared like a blanket.

"I said, eye contact please!",She said and his eyes met her's that was reflecting everything that he wanted to see.

"You do not need anyone..Okay.. Okay... What if someone needs you?", she asked folding her hands close to her chest.

"Of course! Who needs me? After all, i am that jerk who has failed to understand anyone's feeling!", he said, narrowing his eye brows.

'Oh-no! I need you, Jay!', She wanted to say.

Coming back from that 'I need you Jay' she said," Divya needs you!"

"What do you say!",He asked in a serious tone, wanting to know what she said.

"Talk to her! Spend time with her!! After all, she is your baby sister!!", she said.

"I will try to do!", he said dropping down his head again.

"No excuses, Ajay! Assure me!", she asked in an insisting tone.

"You want me to promise?", he asked out finally looking at her.

"Good if you do that!", she said rightfully and walked along with him.

"Ok! Promise!", he said and looked aside.

Mitha, wanted to scream loud in joy; hugging him but unfortunately she couldn't do that so, she decided walk silently beside him.

"So., Tell me about you!", Ajay asked. Mitha, being amused by what she had just heard turned to him, and he continued,"About your family and everything..?"he said as they walked along the sea shore. Mitha, vaporized out a weary sigh and stared at him plainly," Shall we go to the water?", pointing out the rolling waves.

"Yeah!", he said and they walked towards the waves that were flapping towards them.

"My family?", she asked and raise her brows being tired. Isn't her family supposed to be him?

"Only I and my appa, make a family! And he passed away, a few days ago! I simply don't have anyone!", she said looking at him, tears welling up.

'You've me, Mitha!'his heart screeched inwardly and he shouted out,"Hold my hand!", which actually meant like hold my hand forever!

"What did you say?", she asked turning towards his face, staring at him intensely. His breath fanned her face, she panted heavily, she could only hear the gush of waves, that were dashing their legs.

"I asked you to hold my hand!", he whispered. It all made a different sense, when he said her to hold her hand at that time.

"You might lose balance, due to the foaming waves. Hold my hand, to get a grip!", he managed to give false reply.

"Oh, like that?",she asked, looking at him longingly.

"Yes!", he asked and extended his hand at her.

She raised her hand gripped his hand tightly. She just wanted that moment forever! He, himself meshed his fingers with her's, which fit neatly into the gaps between her digits!

She, then stood their encountering a few waves, staring at the mousy sea aimlessly, holding his hand. She felt contented for that day, for being done with what she had decided in 'GOALS' checklist!

"Okay,now... Ajay.. Tell about you!", she said with a smile.

"About me....hmm..", he said thinking deeply and paused for a minute and met her probing gaze,"That story is not for this night!", he said and they resumed walking!

They decided to cruise back home! There was only silence that talked there. Both of them, were silent, holding each other's hand, walking back home. Crucifying the best moment that they had, Ajay's phone buzzed on getting hitched to a call. Mitha, saw him confusedly; while he left out an apologizing look and swiped the call and spoke,"Ah.. karthik! I am out with a friend.. i will call you back in sometime! Okay? Thanks!",he said and cut the call.

Mitha, was overwhelmed by he just said. "Jay! You said me as your friend? Am i your friend now?",she dilated her eye balls in curiosity and astonishment! Though, he didn't say her as his wife; she felt it convincing to be heard as a friend from his own mouth.

"You're !!", he said and smiled swiftly.

"Oh my god! Business tycoon Ajay Rish, had announced me as his friend! Hmm? Not bad, Mitha!", she said self-tapping her shoulders.

Ajay, chuckled simply and walked towards the gate as they reached Éclat mansion. And on stepping in front of her room, she turned to him and said, "I will go sleep now! Good night!", she said trying to  unlock her finger from his!

"Good night!", he greeted her, blazoning a heart-melting smile.

Moving back, on trying to withdraw her fingers.. She gripped back his phalanges more tight and uttered,"Come, Stay with your friend for some more time!"having no heart to leave his embrace.

"Ah...", he rolled his eyes and nodded ,"okay!". With that he clasped her hands, skintight and they moved towards the couch. They talked, talked and talked. And all that time they talked, they didn't leave the hold that was too magical. He laughed flatly, by heart! And she had no enough time to luxuriate in his laugh! They had an auspicious night, talking stories of different kinds!