Two volumes of one book

2 years ago

Mikky

@MidnightLibrary

Memories lingered, refusing to fade, as the corners of her eyes welled up once more. Though people may leave, objects remain, holding the essence of our experiences.

Twelve years ago, flashback..

The melodic jingle of ghungroos resonated across the small stage, captivating the audience. They were entranced by the graceful dance of a talented young girl, Janvi Sharma, daughter of the esteemed Professor Mehul Sharma. His reputation as a knowledgeable and respected educator at a renowned Delhi college commanded admiration from many. Blessed with a loving wife, Nilima, and two delightful daughters, Janvi and Sanyogita, his life seemed complete.

As Janvi's dancing feet seemed to weave a spell, the audience was spellbound. Her movements were like a gentle breeze on a summer day, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed her performance. The local club's small program had become a testament to her dedication and passion. Little did they know, this was only the beginning of an extraordinary journey, one that would take Janvi and her family through trials and tribulations, shaping their lives forever.

As Janvi took her final bow, the audience erupted into applause, showering her with admiration. With a gracious smile, she clasped her hands together, acknowledging their appreciation before exiting the stage. The program concluded with Janvi receiving not one, but two medals - a testament to her exceptional talents in both dance and poetry recitation.

Sanyogita beamed with pride, observing her elder sister's radiant face as their father, Mehul, took the stage as the chief guest. Janvi's eyes sparkled as she touched her father's feet, seeking his blessings. The tender moment was a heartwarming display of their deep bond.

Yesterday, anticipation filled the air as the higher secondary board results were announced. Janvi's nerves were palpable, but nothing could have prepared her for the news that would change everything. As the teacher revealed the top scorer, Janvi's name echoed through the room - she had secured the first position in the entire district! Mehul's face lit up with pride, his eyes shining with unshed tears, as he embraced his daughter, basking in the glory of her remarkable achievement.

As Janvi descended from the stage, Sanyogita flung her arms around her sister, squeezing tight. "Congratulations, Di! I knew you'd do it! No one can beat my Di, she's the best!" Sanyogita's face shone with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling like diamonds.

"And I knew ...My chutki is good too , " Janvi pulled her sister closer, her smile warm.

Nilima chuckled, joining in the playful banter. "Haan haan, we know how great our 'chutki' is, also very brave - she can run away from a tiny cockroach fast !"

Sanyogita made a mock-offended face, her cheeks flushing "Maa stop teasing me , I'm not that scared...

Janvi laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Maa, don't tease her! But yes, our little 'chotki' will do great things one day, and you'll be beaming with pride." Janvi's smile was contagious, and
Sanyogita grinned, her face aglow with happiness. .

"'See, Maa...Di, trust me!' Sanyogita exclaimed, beaming with confidence.

Nilima nodded, her face tilted in a mix of amusement and skepticism. 'Okay, I'll wait for that day when I see my youngest daughter's interview on TV.'

Sanyogita's grin widened as she proudly tugged at her cotton T-shirt, her shoulders squared. Nilima's eyes widened in mock surprise, and Sanyogita paused, her expression turning determined.

'Trust me, Maa, I know chutki will make you proud. One day, your scared little daughter will be a beacon of inspiration, a shining example for society. Janvi's face was beaming with confidence and amusement.

Sanyogita's face glowed with pride, her heart swelling with emotion. She knew her sister's words were genuine, and that gave her the courage to dream big. 'I will, Dii. I promise. I'll make you proud, and I'll make myself proud too.'

Nilima's expression softened, her eyes warm with affection. 'I have no doubt, my little Chutki. You've always had a spark within you. I'll be here to support you every step of the way, Chutki. We're a team, always.'I just want you to believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.'

Sanyogita and Janvi were the best sisters. They were each other's heartbeats. Janvi was four years older than Sanyogita , and she always looked up to her elder sister for advice. Janvi always saves Sanyogita any moments where there was an argument in school or if any boy irritates her sister. She didn't step back to teach a pervert who throws abusive words at her sister and to her . She had respect for elders and affection for younger ones.Janvi and Sanyogita adored her father most , they always respected his ideas, thoughts, and his footsteps .

Nilima smiled and was happy seeing the bonding between the two sisters, she was watching the two jewels in her eyes , deep down her heart was filled up with emotions .She used to shed tears about why she didn't have a boy but it was Mehul who made her understand they were lucky to have two Goddess Laxmi in their home . And one day their daughter makes them proud . Boys and girls both are equal nowadays , perhaps a son can leave his parents during their old ages but a daughter never forgets her parents .

Nilima recalled those moments whenever she said after marriage both the sisters had to separate,

But both the sisters would happily say the same things ,

'I'll not marry, I won't leave my Di no never . Maa I'll rather tell the boy to come to stay at our place. What would you think of Di?""

"Yes, Chutki."Maa..I and Sanyogita are always together; who made such a stupid tradition that girls must leave their mother's house after marriage? Why can not they do the same thing? Why are only women required to make adjustments after marriage? Boys should come stay with us and leave their parents. Why should we leave our parents if they can't leave theirs?Once we are adults, we will alter all of these. Our spouses shall be forced to live with our family and depart from their parents. It must be the new regulation. They must depart from their family as well if they want us to leave. Tit for tat. And if they don't agree, then we will take so much dowry from them that we can ensure you with that money. We'll change all the traditions when we grow big.'

" Yes Di...." Sanyogita agreed and added " Nobody can separate me from my Di, I will never marry such a boy if he put restrictions after marriage ...I'll reject him on his face go and search another girl, Sanyogita never leave her Janvi didi " She blurted out

Nilima patted her hand on her head , and said, baffled " 'You are both too small to think about all this. You don't know how the world is . Girls have to be careful about everything . They should be in manners "

"Maa, why everyone said a girl has to be in manner , everytime girl should know cooked , she should be careful regarding her clothes choice , about her friends , not talk much , walked properly ...etc etc etc..why all this restriction for girls , why Maa?""

Nilima sometimes became speechless seeing the Indomitable spirit of her elder sister , she felt proud of her but sometimes feared the work in her , Thinking worried that this indomitable courage of her daughter should never put her to face any danger that will be difficult for her to come out from ."

She always prays to God to give her more strength for her daughter to fight in any situation .

Nilima came down from the thoughts when she saw her husband Mehul,

In the middle of their conversation Mehul came , seeing her father Sanyogita ran towards him and hugged him " Papa, Di comes first among our district , did you know ?""

Mehul kept his hand on Sanyogita's head , "I knew beta "

"How could you ?"' she asked with perplexed

"People were talking about her , Sonu , [a local postman] told everyone our Janvi pride the name of our locality "

"Why does it happen that our neighbours get to know everything about us !"" she sounded complaining

Mehul grinned " because when I have two diamonds their reflection captured everyone's attention that's why "

Sanyogita chuckled. Janvi smiled while Nilima felt proud as Mehul.

Janvi came towards her father and touched his feet

"Arrey Bas beta ," he made her stand , Janvi hugged her father who said " Proud of you beta "

A Drop of tears fell on the eyes of Sanyogita , she woke up and found Prithvi was in deep sleep . She came down from the bed and headed towards the balcony . Her heart was getting heavy . Those images started to flash before her blurry vision .

Prithvi on the bed moving head to either side , under the cold temperature of the room , sweats covered across his face , she saw groups of photo negatives were shouting at a person , there was a suspicious photo negative face , was chasing him in a lonely street, he was breathing frantically suddenly he fell on the ground suddenly he saw darkness , don't even know which place it was , he felt suffocating , his throat was being choked , as if someone was gripped his neck , he saw a lady in her horrible angry avatar " Sanyo, mujhe chod do main ish ladki ko nahi janta ,mein usey nahi ghur raha tha... Hey Mata Rani mujhe bachalo.... Sanyo don't kill me...Don't kill me Jaan...you are my Jaan then why are you taking my Jaan ...??? " he shouted and fell from the bed

Prithvi opened his eyes and realised it was a dream , but the thing hit him more. Sanyogita was glaring at him and the expression on her face looked like a demon... He wiped his face .

"How cheap are you ?? How could you think your wife would kill you?? "" she yelled at him in anger

Prithvi sensed her hoarse voice , it took a few moments for his pupil to construct under the white light of the bedroom. He noticed her swollen eye and even her nose became red .

" You were crying" he felt a pinch . He stood up and moved closer to her

Sanyogita turned her face to the other side " no "

Prithvi moved closer to her to hold her hand in his palm and made her look at him " don't lie to me "

Sanyogita looked at him and said " My head was aching so much I couldn't sleep so thought to take some fresh air so I went to the balcony ,then in cold breezes I was yawning and you know I have a habit of getting watery eyes while yawning "

Prithvi gaped at her and said " if you have. Headache then you wake me up .. I think you should take medicine if the pain is more"

" No ...not needed I'm feeling better now " she lied and added " you were sleeping then that's why I thought not to wake you up . It's just normal don't worry "

Prithvi although listening to her and keeping his hand on her shoulder and " Okay now let's go to sleep I'll give a massage to your head "

" I'm alright ..you don't need to worry "

" Yes yes .. I know Madam how much is fine now " he grinned

She gave a weak smile and saw him open a drawer and took out a balm gel from a box.

They lay on the bed Prithvi leaned closer to her and applied the balm on her forehead and started to massage her head.

Sanyogita glared at him and thought how she would tell him his friend Nishant is a bas*trd ... he is the killer of her sister, He is a lousy man .

" What are you staring at ?" He said romantically

She slept on her stomach with her head to one side and kept her right hand on his chest and left hand on his neck . " Wohi dekh rahi hoon... how my angry Husband gets frightened so much, even enchanting Mata Rani names in sleep . Kya mein itni darawni lagti hoon aapko "

" No not at all ...how could you scare me , after all, you are the combination of sweet and sour and "

" And? ""

He brings his mouth near her ear and whispers with the husky " my wild cat"

She turned red and hit gently on his shoulder

" You know I miss my wild cat so much" he sounded sensational

He was about to kiss her and she put his finger on his lips " no My dear husband.. control tonight... take care of your wife...Pati dharm nibhana padega apko abhi " she teases him

Prithvi made a puppy face and smiled gently , kissed her head, stroked her head, and massaged it .

Sanyogita felt bad for her lie , she thought about how she would reveal the dark side of Nishant to Prithvi. She is determined now to give punishment to all the culprits behind the death of her sister.

" Di... mein ab unko logo mein se kisi ko bhi nahi chodungi , I'll not spare anyone of them " she looked at Prithvi who goes to sleep around 3 in the morning, she caught his hand and kissed there " Prithvi always be with me.. you are my strength.. I need you every moment on my side . "

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