#1 Where Have You Brought Me?

Mishti...

Mishti Kashyap.

The girl whom Abir could never really know. They were in the same school, in the same class. But Mishti was always more than just a classmate...

The girl who no longer matters...

Is it really so - Abir wonders every time there is a mention of Mishti. Can he ever trust his apparent words in this? Can he ever erase her from his life? After all, they may have forgotten each other, but that girl will always hold a part of his life.

The closer she was to him, the farther she stands now.

And Abir Rajvansh couldn't understand where did he go wrong...

Well to be honest, Mishti was the girl whom everyone desired. No, she was never someone who lived to impress others or to show off herself. She was.. Different, and according to Abir, maybe that was the thing about her which attracted everyone the most.

Mishti Kashyap - the all rounder, just name one field where she would not excel? She was the topper of the school, she was the graceful best dancer of the school who was a Karate brown belt! Whenever she would recite her poems, everyone, including those who understood absolutely nothing, would just stand there spellbound. The aura she had, was splendid... The Mishti-ness she carried.. was captivating!

"Little Angry Bird."

Abir laughed a little. It's been years, still their memories are afresh like it was just yesterday! He wonders, does she too recall their times? But maybe he would never really get an answer, nor does he want. It's not like they doesn't talk anymore, they do, they're still namesake friends, everyone could sense the void between them. And he knows, this was bound to happen. He was the one to break up with her but they both knew it was more of a mutual decision. In fact, she was the one who took the first step for it. She was the one who moved away from him. But their end was willingly strange! Maybe this was the reason, unlike other broken couples they never hated each other. And it remained as a beautifully complicated but incomplete story...

With the end of the teenage love story their friendship was broken too, but at least they remained each other's well wishers who would text at times just to congratulate for some achievement or to wish good luck for some new endeavor.

At least they did not cut totally all their terms off.

After an hour long wait, finally the rain stopped. Finally, after 5 years he'll see his people. Abir sighed, logically he should have been happy, but something inside him just wouldn't allow his smile to reach his eyes...

No wonder even after a gap of 7 years, he was eager to meet Mishti. Probably she won't talk to him or will run away like she has been doing all along, but are they supposed to stay like this till they cease to exist? Is it really this awkward to be at least friends with you ex!

No! They were too young but their feelings were true. Well, the heart and his God knows, Abir may not love Mishti anymore but he would always care for her. He would always try to reach her although she has closed every door for him.

And who knows, if this rain is giving them some message! Abir closed his eyes...

"Maybe we will meet someday Mishti."

****************

Just one second and Mishti's whole mood turned upside down. Yes, she hates it so much that her ex still has an effect on her even after 7 long years.

7 years, can you believe it? 7 damned years but a mere mention of Mr. Abir Ajeeb Rajvansh and the whole earth isn't enough to hide for Mishti, and she, just hated this.

"I know I do not matter to you Abir, but our memories do matter.. to me!"

Mishti was still unsure whether it was actually Abir who she just saw. For a moment her mind flew back to an old time. Good old times...

Suddenly a glimpse of another figure from the past shook her to the core! Mishti felt her heart beating faster, her vision is getting blurry. She somehow managed to text Naira. She needs to share this with someone immediately or else she might faint right there!

N : Hey, what happened to you? Even your "Hello" message is sounding so desperate >_<

M : I think I just saw Abir!

N : What? Was he supposed to return? He didn't tell anything about it!

M : But I think Nishant was with him too, I mean I noticed him just now.

M : Hey, say something! Reply! My heart is.. just racing.. so fast.. and I don't know! Reply you idiot!

Mishti became anxious. She knew even Naira was in shock but she badly needed to hear something from her. Mishti could never handle such situations alone, and whenever she had to, she either ends up creating a bigger mess or she just runs away. And right now, she was just shaking!

Mishti somehow took the rickshaw and finally reached her home.

This silly rain always knew when she needs it the most!

~~

M : "But I think Nishant was with him too..."

Naira just stood up from her place. All of a sudden memories of gone 4 years started playing on her mind. The blank face of Mishti, eyes devoid of any emotions.... No. She can't think of it anymore.

Naira took the keys and immediately drove to Mishti's place. She can't let her best friend go through anything alone.

"If you need to cry then I'm gonna cry with you. No matter what you say, if anything happens now, I won't let you suffer alone."

~~

"Hey Di (Sister), what are you doing outside? The rain has stopped just now, come inside fast. Give me that bag." Kuhu came running towards Mishti. She knew her sister well. Indeed Mishti loves it but if she's is standing in the rain closing her eyes in this manner, then know that something has happened! Kuhu immediately took the bags from Mishti and took her hand. This is not the time to look at Mishti's face.

Suddenly Kuhu heard the horn. Bringing Mishti inside the house she ran towards the gate. "Naira Di, thank God you are here! Now I'm sure something must have happened, even Di was so... so..."

Kuhu started sobbing. No.. she can't even dare to recall those days! And the way Mishti was staring at the sky... No.. Nothing wrong can happen now!

"Whatever wrong was supposed to happen, it's done right? Nothing will go uneven now. Don't hide anything from me Naira Di, please. Mishti Di... again... again..." Kuhu couldn't utter anything. Naira just hold her and nodded in assurance.

"Maybe Abir has returned to Rajkot, with Nishant."

*******

Mishti went inside her room. She looked at herself in the mirror. No she can't fall weak. She is strong. Mishti wiped her face with the towel and smiled. This is the best thing she has learnt to do in all these years, just put that damned smile on your face and everything is just.. awesome!

Mishti knows now both Kuhu and Naira will speak some assuring words and will try to talk to her. But she was in no mood. No, she has accepted that she can't let go of her past just like that but she also knows that it doesn't matter anymore. Mishti wiped those hot teardrops on her face and took a deep breath,

"I hope we won't ever meet again, Abir..."

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