CH 2 || Red Journal

16 August 2010

Anvi

******

“Anvi, don’t forget to invite Sara to Arpit’s birthday.”

“Okay, Aunty,” I replied and sat in the car. Arpit was sitting at the front seat, while Bhaiya sat beside me. Oh! I forgot to tell you, we are going to school and I will meet Sara, She came back yesterday.

Adhyan Bhaiya was busy in studies even in the car while I looked out of the window to enjoy the lovely weather and my sweet little brother was busy solving Rubik's cube. My mind dragged me to the conversation I had with Bhaiya two days ago about The Red Journal.

He said he doesn’t know anything about it but his expressions gave in. It was evident that he lied but I didn’t dare to ask him as he clearly warned me not to talk about it and also not to eavesdrop, but that was just unintentional.

Anyways, Bhaiya has been acting very weird since that day which has confirmed my all doubts that there is something fishy. He had been quite protective of me like he used to be, 2 years ago.

And he sitting beside me in the car is proof of that, otherwise, he used to sit in the front seat.

The car came to a halt and all of us got down. As I was going inside Bhai called,

“Anvi.”

“Yes?”

“Take care and if anything happens or anyone troubles you, inform me, ok?”

Puzzled by what Bhaiya said, I nodded.

“Now go.”

“Bye,” I said and moved towards my class. Arpit had already gone to his class.

“Anvi.” I heard someone shouting and who could it be except my best friend. She came running towards me and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” I said and asked, “How were the holidays?”

“Great. I enjoyed it a lot and you know what, I brought something for you.”

“Really?” Sara’s gifts are always as beautiful as her, always classy and elegant.

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Will tell you, but now let’s go. The class is about to start.”

“Okay.

Everyone was busy in studies, not everyone, some of them were eating their lunch, some of them were playing, Sara was concentrating on what the hell our teacher was saying, while me, I was still thinking about the same thing.

Bhaiya was always concerned but never showed. He never said 'take care and all', he handled everything behind my back, like if someone tried to tease me Bhaiya never used to spare them. But I get to know about it either from Arpit or from other friends.

His concern did not settle well with me and I am sure I need to find out about the Journal that worried him so much.

“Hey,” Sara whispered. I raised my eyebrows and she questioned,

“Where are you lost?”

“Will tell you later.”

Nodding, she diverted her attention back to the teacher.

During recess, Sara questioned my behaviour.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing, just thinking about Adhyan Bhaiya.”

“What about him?”

“He is acting weird.”

“Weird as in?”

I told her what happened, skipping the Red Journal. I described his unusual behaviour.

“You are thinking way too much. He has to leave India soon, maybe that made him more concerned.”

“I hope that’s the case.” I agreed even though I highly doubt this possibility.

“That’s the only possibility, otherwise you tell me what could be the reason for his weird behaviour,” she asked

Deciding not to pull the topic further I replied, “Yeah, I guess you are right.”

“I am always right.” She said dramatically and we both giggled at her antics.

The day passed and it was time to go home.

After sitting in the car, Arpit asked,

“Di, what are you giving me?”

“Ummm….nothing.”

“That’s not funny. Everyone has told me except you.”

“What will be fun when you know about your gift beforehand?”

“But I will die of curiosity.”

“It’s just two days Arpit.”

“Fine.” he scoffed but it was decided that I won’t tell him before his birthday.

‘Sorry little brother, you will have to wait, I thought in my mind.

And it’s not only him who will die of curiosity but it’s me who is dying with curiosity. I need to know what The Red journal is and whose journal is that?

18 August 2010

Everyone was busy in the preparation for Arpit’s birthday. I and Arpit have skipped school but Bhaiya had to go because of an important test.

I have carefully hidden Arpit’s gift and he is dying of anticipation. It’s always fun to see him raiding every corner of the house on every birthday trying to find his gift.

“Di, please tell me. Where is my gift?”

“Just a few more hours and then it’s all yours.”

“Badi Maa, Di is not giving me the gift,” he complained to Mom.

“Anvi, just give it to him now. Why are you being so childish?”

“Leave it Bhabhi. Can’t he wait for a few more hours? his gift will not disappear.” Aunty said to Mom, taking my side.

He started to make puppy eyes and irritated me with his cute antics.

“Arpit, if you won’t stop then I will not give you the gift.”

Pouting, he mumbled, “But I want it now.”

Realizing that my brother will not give up, I decided to give him the gift as I can’t see him sulking on his birthday.

I took him to the room and asked him to take the gift, kept under his bed.

“You hid it here?” he asked surprisingly.

Ruffling his hair I smiled, “Yes my idiot brother.”

He took out the gift and tore the packing paper in excitement to see the gift, but the moment his eyes landed on the gift I didn’t receive the expression which I had been waiting for.

“You didn’t like the gift?” I enquired.

He looked at me with teary eyes, before I could comprehend the situation he hugged me tightly.

“Why are you crying?” I asked while rubbing his back.

“Bade Papa promised me to give this video camera on my 14th birthday. I wanted it for so long. Thanks, di. This is the best gift I have received.”

I remember dad always gave the best gifts and I also remember his promise to Arpit. So what if he is not in our life anymore, I can fulfill everyone’s wishes as dad used to fulfill.

I can never take his place but at least I can try to be his shadow and walk on his path.

“I loved the gift di. Thank you so much.” Pulling him back from the hug, I wiped his tears and teased him,

“Now don’t be a cry baby otherwise I will tell your friends.”

“What? No,” he said and wiped his tears quickly, making me chuckle.

Bhaiya came home early and we had lunch together while chit-chatting about all the gifts Arpit received. It was so good to see Bhaiya being cheerful, but that's so unusual of him. Arpit also noticed the change in his behaviour and asked me through gestures, ‘what has gotten into him?’

I shrugged my shoulders in a negative response not letting him know, at least not now when I have no clear idea.

I was called to receive a parcel inked my name. I went down to receive it and there was nothing written on it, but just a name, Sara. I thought it may be the gift she had brought for me from her hometown, but I couldn’t understand why she parcelled it when she was coming to the party. I thought I would ask her at the party.

I kept the parcel in the room and got ready in a baby pink gown and was all dolled up for the party.

Guests started to arrive and soon Sara also joined. We had a lot of fun and clicked a lot of pictures together. While we were eating I remembered about the parcel.

“Why did you send me the parcel when you were coming here? You could have brought it with you.” I asked Sara.

She looked bewildered at my question and asked, “What parcel?”

“The one with a brown cover.”

“I didn’t send you any parcel.”

At first, I thought she was lying but looking at her expression I knew she wasn’t.

“Then where is the gift you bought for me?”

“That gift? Oh! I forgot. Here it is.” She handed me a small box which has a pearl necklace. It was so beautiful that I can't even describe it. It had to be, after all, it was Sara’s choice.

“It’s so pretty. Thank you so much.”

“I know you will like it,” she replied grinning.

The party was in full swing so I forgot about the parcel kept in my room. After the party, everyone retired to their rooms. I changed into my nightwears and was going to bed when my gaze fell upon the brown covered parcel on my study table.

Since it was not from Sara, I thought it might be for Arpit and he may have a friend named Sara. I decided to give him the parcel tomorrow. And tried to sleep, but curiosity doesn't let me sleep.

I had two options, Either I don’t sleep the whole night and wait for tomorrow.

Or give up on curiosity and open the parcel.

and I chose the latter.

I opened the parcel but was startled looking at the Cover, ‘THE RED JOURNAL.’

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

Translation of the words used in the chapter:

Di- Elder Sister

Badi Maa(Aunt) - Wife of Father's Elder Brother

Bade Papa(Uncle) - Father's Elder Brother

Bhabhi - Wife of brother or brother-in-law