Anvi

******

"And then she listened to everything. I wish that things remain like this only." I said to my cousin, I meant Annapurna Maasi's daughter Vidya. She is the one I adore the most.

Oh Did I forget to tell you all that the riddle is solved now?

Just Be You

And The One You Adore So Much Will Come To See You.

I didn't get what it actually meant until I was told to participate in a drama in school today.

I had two choices, either to play the role of my friend or me. And that's when it struck, I chose to be me and when I came home found Vidya who had come to stay with us for a few days as Maasi had gone to Mumbai for work.

Is this Red Journal mystical? Who cares, I was happy that I got to meet my favorite cousin after so long.

"Di," Vidya called me.

"Yes?"

"Are you sure you want to go to Sudhir Uncle's party?"

"I am going for Mom and it's not like I can't tolerate Ahana for a few hours."

"I know, but still you know how evil she is."

"I know. Don't worry. I will keep my safe distance from her." I had agreed to go to Sudhir Uncle's party with Mom. Although I hate Ahana, still I am doing all this only for my mom.

"Dinner is ready," Mom announced.

"Let's go," I said and we descended the stairs to have our meal. At night, Vidya, Arpit, Adhayan Bhaiya and I played games till 11 and then retired to our respective rooms.

I was about to sleep when I saw the journal in Vidya's hand. Instantly grabbing it from her I said in a stern voice,

"Don't touch my stuff."

She was stunned for a moment as I never had talked to her like that.

"I...I am sorry," she said sadly.

Shit! I hurt her.

"It's not mine. It's Sara's and she didn't want anyone to look into it, not even me."

"It's fine, di," she said but I could see she was hurt.

"Vidya, I am sorry...I.." She cut me off in mid and said,

"Chill Di. I am fine. I know you don't hide anything from me." she said giving me her best smile. I felt guilty about my action as I had lied to her but I can't break the rules. But what if I break one?

I mean someone had written it years back and the rules must be for fun only I guess. I thought I will tell her tomorrow about the red journal and with that thought I slept.

My sleep was disturbed by a sound and I got up. I looked at the time and it was 5 in the morning. My gaze fell upon the red journal that was still on my study table. Deciding to keep it inside my cupboard as I didn't want anyone else to see it, I picked it up. I thought to write Done in front of the dare and flipped the pages.

As I turned on the page there was something which was not before, a note.

'You completed the dare but broke a rule. You wished for something which is against our rule No.4 and you will be punished.'

This note was not there before and it didn't look like someone wrote it as looking at that handwriting and the ink used it seemed that it was written years ago.

How the hell did it happen? I got scared and tried to compose myself by telling that it was all a prank. I am sure either Bhaiya or Arpit is doing a prank on me. I kept the journal inside my cupboard quietly and tried to sleep.

I slept after a while thinking about the journal.

I felt someone shaking me vigorously. Groaning I woke up and saw a tensed Arpit looking at me.

"Why did you break my sleep?"

"Di, Vidya."

"Vidya is slee...." I couldn't complete my sentence as I saw the other side of the bed empty.

"Di they took Vidya to hospital."

"What?" She was here with me a few hours ago, then how could it happen?

Now I am sure it's a prank they both are pulling on me.

"It's not a time for your prank, Arpit."

"I am not lying." He said as a lone tear escaped his eye that only horrified me.

I got up from the bed and went down and found Nivedita Aunty and Shivam Uncle.

"Where is Vidya?" I asked.

"She is fine, don't worry." Nivedita Aunty said although she looked worried.

"What happened to her?"

"She fell from the stairs," Uncle said and I couldn't control my tears.

Aunty pulled me into a hug and rubbing my back she said,

"She is fine, Anvi. Mom, Dad, and Bhabhi had taken her to the hospital. They had called just now to inform that she had just a minor injury and nothing else."

"I...I..wan....want...to see her," I said hiccupping.

"Fine, but first stop crying. We will take you there in the evening."

The day passed by and none of us went to school not even Bhaiya. Bhaiya was beside me every single second as if something will happen if he will leave me. In the evening, Aunty and Uncle took us to the hospital. Vidya's leg was fractured and there were some injuries on her hand and a scratch on the head.

Looking at me she frowned and said," Di, please, not you too. Everyone has been crying ever since they brought me here. I am fine."

Wiping my tears to make her happy I smiled and said, "I am not crying dumbo."

She narrowed her eyes at me and said," Yeah I can see that."

"How did it happen?"

"I was going down to drink water and I slipped. You know how clumsy I am," she said pouting and I chuckled at her.

We talked for long and Mom informed everyone that Maasi will come tomorrow. I wanted to stay with her but no one allowed me and Mom and Grandpa stayed with her while all of us came back.

It was too late when we reached home and everyone was tired so Aunty cooked instant noodles for dinner. As I went inside my bedroom, freshened up, changed my clothes, and was about to switch off the main light when I found the journal on the study table itself.

How did it happen? I remember keeping it in the cupboard. I got terrified and opened the diary only to get the biggest shock of my life.

'The punishment was served. You were punished through the one you adore. It wasn't severe as you had broken the rule which had less priority. But remember breaking the most important rule will have severe consequences.'

The journal fell from my hand and I stepped back. Is someone messing with me?

Sweatbands formed on my forehead. I ran towards my cupboard and raided it thinking that it was not the same journal and the one I had must be still in the cupboard but I was wrong.

How is that even possible?

It seemed that the words appeared in the journal automatically but it sounds absurd and illogical. I am sure it's a prank but then who will play such a heinous prank and why?

Who will answer my questions? And the one name that came to mind was Nivedita Aunty.

But what if something happens to her or anyone close to me if I share this with anyone? No, I can't take a risk. This red journal was messing up with my mind and then I thought of a solution.

How about I destroy it? There was no such rule that said that I can't destroy it. Yes, it's better this way. I must destroy it.

I was sure that Destroying The Root Cause will solve all the problems and that's what I did. I burnt the journal and flushed the ashes of it thinking that everything will be on track now.