Word count: 3k+
Dated: 25th October, 2023
Target: 60+ votes and comments

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7 | Underneath My Breath |

Urvi:

My gaze was stuck to the painting opposite my bed now traveled to the closed window, and then to the mirror.

Darkness

That's all what my room had right now. My heart was pounding at an unimaginable speed, my trembling legs made its way towards the mirror. Stood before it. Pulling out a few tissues, I ran it along the corner of my lips. I had a look at the tissue, bloodied ones. Discarding it, I looked around. Pitch dark room with no source of light.

'While Urvi, you. You are still finding hopes on those who have already given up on you.'

I felt weak. So weak. I clutched the mirror, to avoid myself to slide down to the floor. But that dint help.

'A warm squeeze was exerted on my forehead, followed by my cheeks.'

How much ever I wished to be away from this hell, stepping out with this face would raise questions. And I'm honestly left with no courage to answer it all.

My breathe heaved unevenly and eyes wandered hopelessly in search of light. No no, I needed to get up. It's not me. I ain't this weak.

I looked up and caught hold of the mirror, wanting to get up but ended up falling brutally. Mirror shook and stuck with the wall to have mirror falling on the ground and not on me. Mirror shattered into the pieces depicting my heart's condition.

I shivering, sat straight and leaned against the wall. My heart went so heavy that pain in me became silent. Those pieces down, every piece holding my reflection. No one knows the pain until you're looking at the mirror and asking yourself to hold strong and hold on. I feel I'm no longer living. I'm just waiting.

And the worse thing is that I'm not even aware that I'm waiting exactly what for.

My breathe fastened and my entire body trembled. I threw my head backwards and shut my eyes. My tears trickled down. I tried taking deep breath but nothing worked. I pulled my hairs and hurriedly looked here and there to find anything. None.

I was alone.

Again.

Nobody knew.

Again.

My gaze was stuck to the bed there. I wanted..I wanted to just sleep. Just escape from this never ending cycle. I tried crawling towards it but as soon as my palm came in contact with the floor, pieces of mirror pierced into my palms and a painful scream escaped my lips I held myself.

Trying not to collapse on those pieces. I, shivering brutally, glanced my hands. Blood trickled down through my hands and ended up on my dress. I slowly felt my entire body going numb. I simply couldn't feel myself. Nevertheless, I gulped down a huge amount of saliva and tried getting up.

Yes, yes I can stand.

I smiled slowly within tears and moved my legs cautiously. Wasn't even six steps and my numb legs gave up, causing me to collapse down. My head came in contact with the floor. Shit, I squeezed my eyes in pain and decided to stay there.

Me laying there, on the floor. My eyes staring right up the ceiling. I dint even bother to aid my hands. My mind wandered to yesterday's happenings. Remembering every bit of it pained me. I'm tired. I'm.. I'm feeling like giving up.

'You don't have to carry winters in you for somebody who left you to wither. Trust me, I've learnt this the harder way.'

It's so wrong that I'm missing him. I should've been missing my family. But all I am doing is laying here and wondering what my condition would've been if he was here. I felt my eyes slowly drooping into oblivion. I felt better.

Yeah, I did.

End:

Yesterday,

"You dint find it important enough to inform us about your so called job?" Urvi flinched at her mother's roar. There she was, standing before her mother, again, for something that isn't even wrong.

Urvi sighed helplessly. "You were, are busy mom."

"I know everything about Ridha's life and none about yours. How come I'm busy for you and not for her?" Her mother questioned, eyes flaring.

"You are busy with her." She thought and shook her head, chuckling slowly. "I.."

Her mother's eyes went dark and voice slowly got rude. Since there was no one at home that day but them, it was all a sinful secret. "What? You never find yourself bound to explain or even tell us about your life?"

"Mom.."

She again interrupted. "No Urvi, there are things we deserve to know first. It's been two years since you are working and you dint find yourself obligated enough to even inform us?" She stood parallel to her. "We dint and never want your money. This house isn't in such a bad need of YOUR money alright..."

"Okay enough." Urvi shut her welled eyes, which finally gave up and rolled down. "I'm well aware that my money is not something you look upto. And your money, now at least, is definitely not something I'd even look upon alright?" Words spilled as if it were ready to bleed.

Her mom looked at her in disbelief. "Urvi?"

"Yes Maa?" Her voice shook. "It hurts for me to stand apart when my name screams Khatri. I'm the daughter of this house and this house has never failed in not making me feel so." She knew she'd regret but now, it seemed as if she had to do it. Her chest hollowed and hammered against her ribs. The result will not be something she'd look.

Her mom stepped forward and she instantly flinched real bad.

She looked down and whispered."I dint inform you because I dint find any appropriate stance to break the news."

"Two years? Not even a single chance? Oh come on. You think I'm a fool?" Her shout echoed in the Mansion. Urvi shut her eyes and fisted her hands to control her raging breath. "You need a punishment for it." Her eyes snapped at her mom.

"Mom? I'm sorry alright? Please." She almost pleaded.

Her mom shook her head. "No, if I leave you this time, your courage will be motivated."

She shook her head frantically. "No no." She had idea what punishment would be. Last time she got one, she had to wear full sleeved clothes for a week straight. It wasn't difficult for her to guess what her mom will do about this huge thing.

Her mom grabbed her wrist and dragged her towards the room. Urvi followed her blankly, not even trying to stop or plead anymore. As the doors shut, pillows and bed sheets almost lost their control on witnessing the sight and surroundings that echoed with her screams. The servants out went teary witnessing the same scene for the nth time.

The house abruptly went silent. Clash of wind was so distinct that made atmosphere fearful.

And just then, a tinge of hope was brutally snatched from a soul. The only hope she had.

Present time:

Urvi:

"Bitiya are you okay?" Driver kaka's voice snapped me out of my own thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Are you fine?" He again asked and I nodded, before passing a small smile. It wasn't surprising for me when the question arose. My forehead had a bandaid and lips were bruised. Anybody for that matter would be questioned. I was decked up in an office suit, black and white which I further paired it with Dimond studs. "Kaka please stop the car here." There was this flower shop. I hastily bought the flowers I usually buy and again got into the car.

Car skidded against the friction and halted at Formonix. An unknown sigh of relief automatically escaped from my lips and I got down the car, making my way inside after bidding bye to driver kaka.

As I got in, receptionist caught my shadow and as usual, wished me with that beautiful smile. "Good morn-" She halted. I bit my lips and smiled.

"Morning." I replied, with the same shine in my smile. She reciprocated with a smile and I moved inside. Knowing my oh so rude boss, I quickly collected coffee from the canteen and rushed to the cabin. Much to my relief, the cabin was empty. I placed the coffer mug on the table. I looked around. God, the cabin is total mess.

This man!

I nodded my head in disbelief and replaced old flowers with the new ones. I then opened the curtains and arranged the scattered files properly. I looked around, and a genuine smile finally touched my lips at my work.

Now this finally looks like the cabin I work in!

A deep breath made me realize that he dint even arrive here yet. No cologne of his. I almost pouted at the thought but immediately shook off my mind which were evoking weird thoughts. I picked up my bag and left for my cabin, unaware that something in me was still waiting for him.

There were number of people around me and I still embraced the emptiness that came along with his absence.

End

Ridhit:

Why is it that sometimes you want to pack your shit and run away? And the worst part can be that you have nowhere to run. Floating with one's despair is something where there's no way out. This disconnect from the world eats me up at times, where the crave for a hug from that one person stays unfulfilled. It kills to get hurt everyday and act as if you aren't affected. I've seen devil in the most angelic face and at this moment, nothing petrified me.

Thus, I made deal with the demons in me. I hush them to serenity and they back me up in my wars. We had a perfect balance with each other. Dared who to step into this fire has ways burned into ashes. Witnessing all that I've been through, caring about someone else is the last thought that comes across.

I was preparing myself for another dreadful day without her just when the cabin doors opened out, bright rays of sun hit my eyes and I immediately jerked my face away.

A nonchalant whisper left my lips. "Urvi."

Open curtains, fresh flowers, tidy cabin.

Typical signs of her presence.

A smile automatically touched my lips as the sip of a similar taste of coffee made me realize her presence. Adrenaline rushed up my spine and goosebumps erupted in my neck just at the thought of her being here.

"Good morning Ridhit." I turned around, and there she was. Smile left my lips and what replaced it was a frown. Everything my eyes ones used to notice, are now bandaid. Corner of eyes, forehead, neck. My gaze dropped to her hands and hitched my breath immediately.

Not even a skin of hers was visible to my eye. It was all bandaid. Not in two years I've seen a single scratch on her and suddenly it's all raising questions in my mind.

I stepped ahead. "Wha-?" The word never left my lips as her gaze connected to mine. I felt numb suddenly. It felt as in, all the power I held felt useless if this was happening to her and I had no control over this.

Her eyes gave me that shiver, a kind of shiver that has never rushed through me in years.

Of fears. Of helplessness. Of being powerless.

She smiled at me and stepped forward. A little more closer to me. "Your schedule?"

"Urvi?" A whisper of disbelief arose my throat.

She walked through me, and reached the cupboard. "By the way, I mailed Mr. Harper yesternight. We have to meet him day after tomorrow alright. Just a reminder." She shuffled a few files and came up with a pink color one.

I finally gained some courage to ask, "Who did this to you?"

She turned to me. "I think after Saturday, Elite will finally come true. No more problems. This file is the soft copy of everything." I could care less about that damn file.

"Who did this to you?" I asked, yet again.

"Oh, I think your schedule is almost free for the day. Can we meet up sponsors?" She loved testing my patience.

"Who did this to you?" I gritted.

She sighed. "You always do this."

"You love testing my patience don't you?" I could sense my voice getting angrier.

"Mr. Merhotra, you seem getting too much attached in this agreement." She teased me.

I scoffed. "Oh trust me Miss. Khatri, it's mutual." She looked at me, I saw her eyes getting wet. She took a deep breath and looked away, outside the window.

"What do you want to know?" Her voice held that defeat. She dint look at me. Her gaze continued to be stuck where it was.

"Everything." I uttered one word.

Her gaze now fell on me. "You know the answer already, don't you?"

"Just a word from you." Breathless voice reached out. She chuckled dryly and said nothing. But that one chuckle I felt, hid so much inside. It felt empty, yet hidden. It said so much, so loudly, yet murmuring not even a single word. "Urvi." I breath out helplessly and took a step forward. She looked at me and smiled.

"I never took a single day off because this place gave me what my house dint. And now working on your project, along with you, gives me that peace." She said and I held her hands to pull her towards me. She stood before me, with both of her hands in mine. My hands reached to cup her face and thumb caressed the scar near her lips. I licked my dry lips and gulped saliva for my heavy throat before joining my forehead with hers.

The only sentence I could utter was, "Our project, luna."

¹Dolor y herida

You're gonna pay, fuckers!

End:

His feet unconsciously chose to follow the path of love. They rebelled against all logic and rationale. He never acknowledged when her touch of love was all he needed to exist.

His touch healed her wounds, it glued all the scattered pieces of her heart.

¹: Pain and Hurt