“No,” I smirked, “He is hurt, not shocked. Moreover, I forgot myself when I started bonding with him. I am a blind person, Ruhi. He will not want a blind wife for himself, will he? No, I clearly got distracted from my path of social service when I fell for him. Love makes you strong but, in some cases, it also makes you weak. Let’s forget about the whole incident, Ru. After I will reach Shimla, with time I will forget him and then, who knows, one day we may meet each other and then laugh at this time. My life is hard enough and I don’t want him to suffer along with me. Let’s go”
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Suraj
The car speed limit of eighty, I raced on the road. My pulse rate went higher with adrenaline rush on top of it. After such a long time,I felt alive. Ruhi’s call acted as the final awakening call for my senses. It feels as if, somebody has splashed cold freezing water on my entire self, leaving me alert and awake! Like a flash strip going infront of the projector all the memories came rushing back to me. Kiran…her brown eyes…her crispy laughter…The way she tossed her head when she used to get annoyed and then the dreadful day of her death…when I received the news and my half system has gone into illusionary mode, in order to save myself from the harsh reality. As if, on the cue came another face in my head. Crystal clear black eyes…ringing laughter with long black hair flowing backwards…the little dimples which use to appear in Sonam’s cheek when she found something to laugh upon. After the final blow given to me that Sonam is the mysterious caller, a sudden numbness entered my entire system but, of happiness! As if, my heart registered her long back before my other senses could take her in. Knowledge overwhelmed me. Back to my residence, lying on my bed, Ruhi’s call made me awake. Sonam is going to Shimla! No, my entire system went into frenzy mode as soon as I spoke to her. No, my heart shrieked, we won’t lose her. Not this time, not ever. She is mine. It seems, not her, but I have been blind from such a long time. True, from all this time I had been fooling myself. But, I can’t lose her. I will make her stop, make her understand. Apologise for my stupidities, if necessary. Please God, Help me this time. Kiran’s death left me half dead but, Sonam’s departure will kill me entirely!
The jeep parked on the side, getting out of it, I broke into a mighty run. My head chanted her name like a secure mantra. Sonam, please stop…let me explain myself…don’t go. What a fool I had been, not identifying the girl for her worth! She got connected to me and all I did to her, make fun of her emotions. I should be hanged. If only I would have realised the truth much before, if only I could had seen… Immediately my thinking process halted as I saw the back of two girls in front of me, sitting on the bench, waiting for their train presumably. My heart beat crazy as I recognized her. Fate is on my side today. Internally, I thanked the almighty for this small help.
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Sonam
“May I help you till your train?”That voice made slight shivers on my neck. Suraj, who told him? Of course, Ruhi, who else? .My throat feels like choking with the unshed tears, which still lay hidden underneath the entire cool and calm demeanour, I made on front. A fake smile on my face, I said, “Yes, sure.” I walked with heavy steps towards the wagon. No, I have no wish to leave his side, if possibly, forever! “Who told you?” I asked, clearing my throat a bit. “Ruhi,” he said, “Has it not been for her, you would have left me without even saying goodbye! Is this what you call a true friendship?” frustration reflected in his voice as he spoke. Well, at least he considered me his friend; that soothed me a bit. Nibbling my lip, with my hands in his I made it towards my destiny. “Suraj,” I spoke, “I am sorry for what ever happened between us. I know I have hurted you a lot but, trust me, I had no intentions to do that. All I wanted is you to awake from your illusionary world, that’s it.” “Watch out,” he whispered, and brought me to a halt. “What-what happened?” I said, all panicked. “Nothing,” he chuckled, “You would have banged your head against the door,” saying that, he pulled my shoulder down and spoke again, “Now, bring your left foot ahead.…yes…push yourself inside, good…lean back and sit.” A sudden un-nerving sensation prickled my skin, something is not right. Train berths are not made up of soft leathery are they? “Suraj,” I said this time fear in my voice. “Yes,” he said from a distance, as if; he was around me but not near! “Where is Ruhi?” God, I have totally forgotten her. “I am here Sonu,” I heard her voice, with some traces of guilt in it? “Sorry,” she said, “I left you two in such a hurry but you see, Suraj ordered me to put your luggage back, I have no other option but to obey. What have you packed so heavy, pray? The back of the car has no space to take it in.” My mind swirled in confusion but, one word got struck in my brain. “Car, did you just say car? What am I doing in your car? What’s going on? I will miss my train. Please, let me go.” “What if, I don’t want you to?” Suraj’s voice near to my ear made my heartbeat stopped. I could sense the heat emanating from his skin as he held my hand in his. “And,” he said, “It is not Ruhi’s car but mine. I don’t want you to go, Sonam.” “But,” I stuttered as I said, “Why did you do that?” for once I am thankful to lord for making me blind. I did not wanted to see his face, while I blushed from top to toe. My mouth went dry, as I held my breath for his answer. “I am sorry, Sonu.” He said, “I am very sorry for not realising, what you have meant for me in all this time. Ruhi did the right thing that day by hitting me hard. The slap acted like an alarm for me. She made me realise on the phone that, I have committed a grave crime of hurting you. Deep inside, I always knew that Kiran is dead, but I did not want to accept it. Kiran’s death left me half-dead but you’re departure will leave me devastated. Don’t go Sonam, please, I am begging you. I- I like you…” Not enough, my heart said, as his fingers wiped my cheek, removing tears. They have broken through their barricade, I have posted them under. “And, what do you expect me to say?” I asked in a defiant tone. “That I like you too, try harder.” I tried to turn my head, when his finger underneath my chin, lifted it. “I love you, how about that?” my face must have got heated up, still I tried to shrug him aside but his hold was too firm for me to shake it. “I hate you, how about that?” I said, there, let him take that. “No,” He chuckled. “You love me, say it?” “I hate you,” I said again. “You love me,” he repeated all the same, “I hate you,” I repeated, “You love me,” he said, “I hate you,” I was enjoying the game, “You hate me,” “I love you,” Oops! There, I made a blunder but I felt happy to make that mistake because no sooner the words left my mouth, a sweet pressure came on my lips. I am experiencing the first kiss of my life. I could sense the funny pressure in the lower part of my anatomy, as his hands guiding mine around his neck. Oh Yes, love was a great feeling.
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Ruhi
“Open your eyes, Sonam…” the day is going to be a most memorable one. Sonam’s eye operation been a success and today’s the day, when, the bandage around her eyes are about to be opened. Two days ago, Suraj and Sonam got engaged to each other. Everyone in the orphan house, along with Suraj’s father is in great state of delight. Me, well, I am happy too, I mean, life has gone back to normal mode for both of them, what else did I want? Sonam’s eyes, as soon they got revealed, were of black colour. Suraj got all emotional when he saw that, according to him that’s the colour of Kiran’s eyes when they both had been together. As Sonam sat there on the bed, with Suraj by her side, both of them staring into the mirror, they portrayed the frame of a perfect couple. Now let me share a secret with you. The eyes which adorned Sonam’s face are of Kiran’s! After her body got recovered from the accident spot, according to her eye donor card, she donated her eyes in the eye bank. For Sonam’s operation, when offered the choice of choosing the set of eyes, I had gone for them. Till today, neither Suraj, nor Sonam know about this thing. Sshh! Please readers, if you ever met this cute couple, never tell them about this little secret of ours.
End.
Thank
you for taking the time to read my book. All the readers are requested to leave a review mail to me, if you liked it. That’s all I am asking you for, nothing else. To all the reader, who have enjoyed my “Love Poison” series, thank you once again for appreciating my work. Comments are the only payment I require from all of you.
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Love Is Blind Page 3