Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 19

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Mitha's face was painted pink due to the sober. She wanted to scratch out everything; she wanted to reel back those whole two weeks, and hold off Ajay from going anywhere. Why can't something happen, and make her thoughts true? Like, how enigmatic it was to have Ajay there to save her, at the sea shore on the very first day when they met. Why can't god make something magical happen again? Why can't Ajay come back and snap at her, or force her to have her breakfast, or teach her guitar or pout at her in a cutesy demeanor or make her go weak, with his macho voice, Just with his voice.

She couldn't think something else! She even thought what if he had missed his plane, but f**k! He had already texted her that he was going to board his flight at Sydney. So, definitely he would've got into the next plane too. She was unable to deduce that he wasn't going to come back.

Suddenly, an idea cracked up. She wiped off the disgorging tears, and quickened her tread towards her phone. First, she thought of calling Ajay's PA and enquire about Ajay's flight details. Though, she was positive about his flight details, it was that common yearning to expect that something could be different , so that her Jay could come back and make her feel alive. What she felt was an utter quietus, when she had to think of being without him.

She hadn't been that sure that she was in love with Ajay, so far. But then, this small flash news on the television, was capable of bringing her life to an end. She flopped the idea of calling Karthik, and dialed Math's number, with the fingers that trembled like she was edging on the cliff of a rocky height. When Math attended the call in few rings, Mitha pried Math about Ajay's travel details, after notifying about the news that made her to go to pieces. But when Math, threw out a reply; which wasn't supporting Mitha's productive positive thoughts, her panic-stricken face further got ticked off. Her heart ached; he wanted him back, badly. If he had boarded the flight and if anything hadn't happened, Ajay would've reached home by that time.

She cried her life out. She was having an innate adequacy only to burst into tears. The exhaustive her was dissolving in tears, that she was letting fall. She could do nothing but let it all out. The clock ticktocked, as she ran out of tears to let it fall down further. By that time, Mitha was sitting on the dining table, with a great turmoil, that was eating her up. That's when, Deborah clocked in to talk to her. She was worried about Mitha being so afflicted. When Deborah, butted in Mitha was still imagining things, with her worried head cemented to her hands. Deborah, neared Mitha and placed her hands slightly on Mitha's shoulders.

When she sensed that it was her Deb, all she did was wrapping her arms around Deb's hip and resumed her waterworks. Deborah, herself couldn't see her in pain.

"Bon-bon! Don't cry. I have told Math to enquire about it.", Deborah was at loss of words. What could be told to one, when they'd lost their whole world.

"What's there to enquire, Deb?", Mitha mumbled between sobs. After five long hours of crying, she had no more tears to pour forth. She was sick of all crying, the whole day. She was lacking the capacity of thinking anything.

"But Bon-bon..."

"I love him, Deborah!"

"I don't have words to express sympathy. I know it's not any easy to convince yourself, nor it is a consolable sorrow.", she mumbled hugging Mitha back, tight.

That's when Deborah's phone jingled. She swiped and took the phone to her ears. When Deborah, shouted implausibly Mitha's sobs took a rest and listened to Deborah who was speaking on the phone, remarkably squealing in new found happiness.

"Math! Are you serious?", she squealed, smiling.

"Really? When will you come here, then?", She bleated looking at Mitha, as a total curiosity took over Mitha's face and mind.

Soon, Deborah disconnected the call and turned her face towards Mitha, who was biting her nails in curiosity being ejected in her gaze.

"Bon-bon! Guess, what?", she screamed.

"What?", she asked, with her eyes carrying an unnamed emotion, that was seeking her reply.

"Ajay isn't dead. He is alive. Math is with him. They're on the way."

"Is this real?", she furrowed her brows and probed.

"Bon-bon! It was Math who called. They're on the way from the airport. They'll reach home in no time. Ajay is alive.", Deborah screeched. Mitha, was still frozen, hearing to what Deborah was shouting. Nothing other than the fact that her Jay was alive, went into her ears.

"You're not bluffing, right?", Mitha investigated, standing up, straightening herself.

Within Deborah, could reply and make her gain some confidence and strength, they heard a car entering , the gate. Deb rolled her eyes in excitement, and gestured Mitha by pointing out the porch.

"Jay is alive!!", Mitha screamed looking at Deborah.

"Indeed, he is!", Deborah echoed, as they heard footsteps, nearing them.

Just then, Ajay appeared before her and in no time she sprang forward; jumped into his arms; wrapping her hands around his neck; hermetically sealing the space between them. With no second thoughts, Ajay bundled her up, within his arms sincerely. He was alive; and she was in his arms. Perfect!

"You're here! You're alive!!", Mitha gasped, placing her chin on his shoulders, closing her eyes, whilst still her tears were flowing down and wetting his shirt.

"I am okay, i am all okay!!", he whispered, soothing her back; shielding her and making her feel safe.

"You're alive!", Mitha kept repeating her words, that's been ringing in her brain since she got to know he was safe and sound. She stood holding him, repeating those three words; still dropping down her tears due to the astonishment.

"Mitha.."

"..."

"Mitha.. Baby.. I am okay! Don't cry.", he said, still closing his eyes; feeling her soft skin on his, stern; well-sculpted body. He, himself suffered seeing Mitha in pain. He couldn't see her in pain.

Mitha, Baby.. Nothing went into her ears. All she was repeating was that he was alive; and she got her life back. While, they were standing; hugging each other; as an attempt of consoling themselves, Deb and Mathews stood still, being confused about what was happening. Only when Ajay's deep macho-tic cologne, started suffocating Mitha's breath which was already racing as if there were thousands and thousands of wagons plunging ahead, in the scurry; she apprehended that she was standing; being folded in his arms. She came back from his shoulders, which seemed like an eternal berth to hold last rites for her sorrow and snuggled out of his hold swiftly, being embarrassed as she had to assume and believe that she was the one to jump into his arms, when she saw him back.

Banging into shatters, as she came out of his embrace her emotional eyes, were looking straight at his, while her lips mumbled,"You're alive!", shedding down the last tear drop.

He looked back at her, piercing in her glance; staring a little more deeper this time and whispered,"I am!! I missed my flight!"

Immediately, Mitha scowled! She raised her hands up and clutched Ajay's collars and she couldn't stop the words flowing out of her mouth," Why didn't you inform us? What do you think you're ? Do you even remember that there is some one to worry about you and weep for you! You're such a stupid.", she yelled at him. Ajay, was dried up. He had no words left. He couldn't open his mouth, and reply her.

"My phone was dead.", he mumbled.

"You're a cold brute! Why don't your sick brain strike a note that you've got people to worry about you?", she shrieked , getting on her nerves. He stood still, being liable for her anxiety. She knew that there would be no effects even if she exposes her whole anxiety to him. Without any delay, she took her hands off his shirt and strode towards her room. Though, she was now taking the sting out and felt relieved she was still worried about his carefree behavior.

Nonetheless, Ajay stood deathly quiet being unable to think something beyond what Mitha blabbed out. He regained his sensibility only when Mathews patted his back and spoke,"I am leaving. Take care!!", he mumbled. Deborah, followed Mathews and paused right before Ajay and looked at him,"Take care of her.", she mumbled whilst he nodded curtly.

Immediately, Ajay stumped to his room, and on throwing his haversack to the couch; he threw himself to the couch and let worries that was hanging onto Mitha's words descend upon him. He never anticipated that she would be so plagued due to his absence. May be she loved him too, like he did; he thought and the next second, he freed that trivial thought to fly away.

Ajay, in a flash, waded to the bath and on undressing himself, he got upright under the shower, as he was dwelling in Mitha's words. He had those words resoundingly ringing in his ears. After a mannerly shower, he came out and streamed into his tee and walk-shorts; and proceeded to the kitchen to get his cup of coffee.

Time was already eight in the evening. He was stifled still, into his thoughts about Mitha. He was dealing with an enormous tight corner. His greatest doubt was if he should, go convince her at that time. Better to do it with a cup of strong coffee, so that she doesn't pour it on your face but sips in and forgives you! His innermost, hidden soul recommended. He smiled to himself; swaying his head being amused by her and her yearning for coffees.

He fastened his coffee-making process and dangled towards her room. The room was pre-occupied with a choked off silence. He marched forward towards her bed, where she had her tired body fixed to the bed, with a fluffy cushion embracing her. She was sleeping, with a contentment and relief brushing over her face. He looked at her, intensely. Her eyes were closed, that were puffy due to the continuous sobs. Her beautiful pointed nose was touched up with a florid pink shade, which was also due to her frightened state.

He felt a sharp pang in him, when he saw her like that. His pain grew further more when he had to realize that he was the reason for her agony. After neatly placing the coffee mugs, beside her bed; he bent down at her.

How could someone be so selfless? After all, she had no compulsion to tolerate his cold behavior!! Why did she had to do that?

After letting a few huffs of his breath hit her forehead, he bent down furthermore and placed a soft peck on her forehead, carefully. He didn't want her to wake up, and get embarrassed at the moment. With that, he moved back and sat right there beside her, and on tugging a chair nearby her bed, and leaned back.

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