S I X: Solace

4 years ago

-Grace-

@-Grace-

CHAPTER SIX

Solace

Life was unfair, nor it came with instructions. It was a test, one that only ended with death. 

Arnav hated feeling weak, and in light of recent events he had only felt more tied. His hatred wasn’t limited to those he blamed but had enveloped himself too. Not being able to control what happened to him or the emotions that engulfed him made him feel helpless, that only grew in the negative emotions one could think of. 

He never felt this alone, defeated and lost. 

Arnav was not someone who reacted well to change. He always feared it, and when the universe had flipped his life, destruction was inescapable. 

He was shattered once again when he found the space next to him on his bed empty. It reminded him of the missing pieces in his life. 

He often wondered where Aliya, his only friend could possibly go, how she disappeared into thin air. As if she was erased from the soil of this earth. 

But he was angry, so angry that he didn’t even want to try looking for her. He had no hopes or expectations from anyone, even her. It had been months, he wanted to forget her for good now. She didn’t deserve to be cared about. 

He got off the bed in fury and threw the duvet off of him. 

He was his own family. The only companions he had were pain, grief and loneliness.With a firm decision, Arnav chose to be selfish. For his own sake, for survival. 

*********

The room felt suffocating, but the good kind, a state where you would want to be despite knowing the dangers. Vivan felt as if he had been shown a mirror. Arnav and Asher reminded him of himself. Their problems, their confusions reminded him of a younger Vivan. Even though all three of them had been going through different experiences, one thing was common: dejection from the world. Vivan could see the rage and fire spitting from their eyes. It was terrifying. He felt bad for them, because he knew how it felt to be in that place. 

He had been sitting in his living room, sipping hot black sugarless coffee. His back was facing the window in the dark room. He had been so tangled up in his own thoughts that the surroundings were not registered. 

He feared for them, as if the time took him back to square one. A  shiver ran through his spine, remembering a vulnerable  Vivan. However he hoped time would heal,  Arnav and Asher would become stronger with time. He had a tiny hope for them and instantly he felt a connection. A bond with those who suffer the same. 

*********

She took off her glasses and held them from the rim between her thumb and index finger. Khushi sighed and closed the file of the patient who had just visited her. The problem with Khushi was that she bonded with every patient of hers,  she would get emotional and consider their problems her own. It was true that her occupation required her to understand the state of mind of those who came seeking her help, but sometimes she took it too personally. 

The cold winds of October touched the back of her neck raising the tiny hairs, flowing in through the slightly opened window. Khushi felt a shiver, more so for being mortified at the mere thought of what one might be going through, desperate to seek help, enough to open their wounds to a stranger. 

She turned around in her leather chair and faced the window of her tiny cabin. She smiled seeing the children playing wildly in the chilly weather, worry free and spirits soaring high. Khushi looked up and closed her eyes, sending a silent prayer to always keep those smiles through the test of time. 

Despite seeing the beauty of childhood she could not forget about the disturbing incidents of her patient. The smile faded from her face and the sadness appeared in her eyes, and the pity was evident on her face. 

The loud vibration of her phone brought her out of her reverie. Seeing Khirad’s  name flash on the screen she smiled and suddenly remembered about the forgotten meet. She quickly grabbed her coat, keys and purse and ran towards the elevator. 

*********

Khushi reached the café just on time. She was parking her car in the crowded parking lot when her car almost crashed into a black land cruiser. She let out a silent prayer thanking god for saving her from the crash. However she couldn't be saved from a pair of fire spitting eyes. 

She looked from her windshield and saw the man in the vehicle. She felt a loud thud in her heart, as if the crash had happened. Her eyes met the stranger’s and it was terrifying to see the intensity in those chocolate brown eyes. It spat fire in every direction. 

Arnav’s grip on the rubbery steering wheel tightened when he saw the foolish girl in her white vehicle in front of him. Why do people get on streets with brand new cars when they don’t know how to drive? He was pissed off. Even her innocent puppy face didn’t melt his heart. 

He steered to his right and made an exit from the parking lot in agony. She was frightened by the look he gave her and then drove away at the speed of light. What was that man? 

*********

Arnav drove towards the headquarters and tried to forget that silly girl’s face. No doubt she was pretty but he had to get her out of his head, he didn’t need such distractions to play with his senses and make him weak. After all he wasn’t going to get crumpled by visually appealing facades. 

He took calculated steps and walked with determination. He had made a fool out of himself once in this territory by expressing his anger without thinking it through, he was not going to repeat his mistake.

The elevator chimed open to the 26th floor and he walked out on the marble floor with pride. His shoulders were broad and head held high. 

*********

Asher was sitting in his leather chair looking on the busy street through the floor to ceiling glass windows. His gaze was frozen and his hands held the spherical glass paper weight, while his forearms rested on the big cherry maple desk. The traffic jammed street mirrored his state of mind, crowded with thought and confusion, and those questions that he knew would remain unanswered. 

His silent moment was interrupted by a knock on the door, ajar. 

“come in” he replied after a few seconds. 

“are you busy?” 

It was Khirad, he wasn’t expecting her but  was glad to see her. 

“not really…have a seat” 

She walked a little further and pulled out one of the two chairs placed in front of him. Khirad wanted him to talk, he seemed really quiet all the time, this was a perfect chance to make him talk, to make him feel comfortable enough to open up. She remained quiet. 

“Look I’m very ashamed of my behavior for the other day, It was very irrational of me im s-”

“you’ve already apologized and trust me its not a big deal” she said with a smile and placed her hand on his for assurance. That little kink was long forgotten. She had bigger questions she sought answers for. 

Her silent reassurance was appreciated. 

“Asher?” 

“huh what?”  “sorry” 

His embarrassment was evident on his face, he tried to avoid eye contact for the next few seconds. She smiled and removed her hands from his. Khirad was awed by this gesture, she could see the rawness behind the walls he’d built. She could see the man who wanted to appear rigid and strong could still get affected by the simplest things. He still needed those little affirmations that shape our soul, he still had the void. It saddened her a little realizing he needed a hand to pull him out. 

“don’t think about it too much, I already accepted you as a friend…unless you haven’t yet?” 

She arced an eyebrow instantly lifting the mood. 

“oh no no its nothing like that”  he smiled after what seemed like ages. 

“cool, so how’s everything going?” 

He didn’t respond right away and shifted his eyes here and there. She noticed his long lashes, secretly admiring them. 

“Em, its alright…I guess it’ll just take a while to adjust” 

He wanted to be neutral about it. He didn’t want her to know about his last bitter experience, or rather he didn’t want to be the one informing her. It would be too hurtful for his ego, he wanted to save it like any other man. 

She saw his eyes and realized how beautiful she had found them even the first time they had met, the kind of depth which held so many secrets, untold stories, silence that spoke volumes. She was awestruck. There was something captivating about his eyes that didn’t let her want to divert her gaze. 

“It’ll be fine” she said looking directly into his eyes. 

He felt a newfound consolation in those simple words. Something he didn't even realize he needed. 

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Hello everyone, 

I see there are a number of people who are following this story. But it seems they are not bothered enough to leave a comment or like. 

I am truly thankful to those who do. And this update is dedicated to coderlady for always always leaving feedback on my work. 

Thank you so much.