NAVYA'S P.O.V.

Live life to its fullest, that's what they say. But they don't know what is it to live a life that's no longer a life. To live a burden. A burden which you had to carry everywhere you go. The hardest thing to do.

It's feels like, you, yourself is a traveller who is hopelessly searching for light. Hope. But is trapped in darkness. Stuck in it. Crying for help. Pleading to the devils to show some mercy on you. While the whole universe laughed at your helplessness. In childhood mother told us that Shiva always shows mercy on those who seeks his help. Who seeks lightness in their dark world. Shiva gives them his hand. He gives them their light. Their Hope. Their reason to live.

But, she was wrong. Everything she said turned out to be a lie.

'…ya'

'..vya'

"Navya"

Turning to the source of the voice I came face to face with a girl slightly older than me. The black of her hair covering the whole back. Hazel eyes hiding all the pain. All the wrong ever done to her. A face neutral of any emotion, yet hundreds of emotions swirled on it. A dark long overcoat hiding every curve of her body.

"Seriously if I would've known that you'll ditch me for this. I would've never brought you here." a cute pout adorned her face. Giving her a little smile I continued eating my apple pie. Travelling back to the days when we both were kids. She getting angry over the fact that I always choose my pie over her.

"More like dragged." shrugging my shoulders at her.

"Yeah, it's my freaking fault. I should've let you stayed in that apartment. And let you rot." sighing I pushed aside the apple pie and concentrated on what she had to say.

"What's wrong Avni? Do you want to say something?" I continued "You know you can tell me anything. After all we're sisters." The woman sitting in front of me wasn't that little girl I used to know. The once happy go lucky nature was replaced with grief, hurt and helplessness.

"I'm…. I-I just don't know what's happening in my life anymore." Hazel eyes glistened with tears. "I dragged you all the way from India to Canada. Just so that I could forget about what a mess my life had become. Bu-but it feels like I can't."

"No Avni, you can do this. I trust you. I know you can move on, you just need to push a little harder." I said.

"Really, Navya. Do you think that I'd be able to move on?"

After assuring her that everything will be alright we headed back to our home. Every time she had an emotional breakdown I just say things like 'It's going to be alright' and 'Time will take your pain away'

Because honestly, I don't know what to say to her. What to say to soothe her pain away. We both were on the same boat.

We were away from Conoor. From the place which hold so much memories of us. My thoughts drifted apart when the cold wind brushed against me. Making a shiver ran down my spine.

It's been 4 years since we've shifted from Conoor to Canada.

Feeling the cold wind brush against me again. I walked to the window. The trees were covered with snow while the mountains were hidden by the clouds. As always, I was at loss for the words on the art of mother nature. Closing the window' I walked to the kitchen.

Our house wasn't that big nor that small. It was just perfect and cosy. It had two bedrooms and a guestroom including a living room with a kitchen.

After pouring myself some hot chocolate I headed back to bed. But like every day sleep didn't come that easily. Founding my eyes fixed on the boring ceiling my mind started wandering aimlessly. We both were way far away from Conoor. From home.

We were running. Running from our haunting past. The causes of our nightmares. A shiver ran down my body just by thinking back to that day that struck Avni's life like lighting. That caused havoc. Tearing every inch of what's called a life. That day she lost her everything. She became a living dead. Just breathing not living.

No one could ever saw through that happy facade of hers. Not even our own family.

A knock pulled me out of my thoughts. Opening the door, I let her come in.

"Couldn't sleep?" I questioned.

"Yaa. And you?" she asked while making her way towards the leather couch. After making herself comfortable she reached for my cup of hot chocolate. It had become lukewarm.

"Hmm.. so like always, you poured yourself some hot chocolate and left it untouched." Sipping it "I should thank you for letting me have your hot chocolate every night."

"But you never said it." I replied. She chuckled at my reply. Her eyes were swollen. Her face tired. Tired from mourning for the loss from past five years. For someone who is never going to comeback. Ever Again.

"Navya, do you remember when we're little. How we would get ready early in the morning to go to Mandir with Bua ji." She asked. Eyes travelling back to the happy days.

Like her, I also recalled those happy memories. How we would get ready early in the morning. So that we could see the Shivaling and get prasad first. Those moments were the happiest ones.

"But I don't believe in Shiva anymore." A sigh escaped Avni's mouth.

Bua ji always took us with her. For her we're the loveliest angels to step on this god's green earth. And the whole neighbourhood adorned us. Everyone loved us. We were the only girls in the family.

Whenever you see Bua ji she would always be in a saree. Every girl around her age was jealous of her beauty. Her long black hair were always put up in a bun. Everyone knows she was a stunner except her. I even remembered how we both cried when it was the time of her Vidaai. She was like our second mother.

"Hey, you here Navyu?" My journey back to the old days was cut short with her voice. I nodded in yes.

"Seriously what's with you and wanderland. It seems like you're both on good terms. And now have become best friends."

"Do I sense jealousy here?" I asked slyly and looked at her.

"Jealous, of what." A deadpanned look cross her face.

"Ok! I know it was a bad joke." Lifting both the hands up, I surrendered. "But what can I do. I'm just full of bad sense of humour."

"Really, do you even have some sense." I playfully scowled at this. And she laughed at me. It wasn't until that we broke into a fit of laughter. It had been so long since we laughed our hearts out. Or had it been so long since she laughed with me. I can't seem to remember.

"You know Avni you should laugh a little more. It suits you." A heart-warming smile slipped on my face. After that incident a smile was rare on her face.

Our happy moment was cut short with the sound of my cell. Sighing I picked it up. Not even in a million years I could've believe what I heard from the other side. I didn't want to believe it. The cell phone slipped from my hand and smashed on the ground into pieces.

An earth-shattering cry was heard. Looking at Avni with shock, I realised that it was none other than me. The feeling of loss once again shackled my heart. The currents of pain and grief swept me to the land of loneliness.

"Navyu look at me. Wh-what happened? Tell me." She started shaking me vigorously as I didn't answer her any sooner. "Who was on the line? Tell me Navyu, damn it."

"He's no more."

"What? What are you saying. Who's no more?" Her voice was laced with confusion and fear. Her heart not wanting to lose anyone anymore

"…ni-Avni. Babu ji, he's gone."