(Avanti's perspective)
I
woke up from my sleep.
Wait- Bindu and Sravanti! I have to talk
to Bindu after putting this plushie away while talking. I am still afraid of
what she'd do. Is she still angry? Did she argue with Sravanti? Where is
Sravanti? Did Sravanti also argue with her? What would have happened?
I came to the living room to see what's
happening. I can sense my hands trembling and legs shaking. A sense of warmth
erupted in me again as I got Goosebumps. Harini, Vishal, Sreya and Ravi are
there. Only them? Where is Bindu? In her room? Where is Sravanti?
'Hey!' I approached them.
They are all playing Chess without me.
'Where is Bindu?'
They all looked at each other. And
nodded subtly. And looked at me again. And expected me to understand it. And
gave me no reply. What am I supposed to understand from that?
'You say,' Harini nudged Vishal.
'No- you tell her.'
'No, you tell-'
'You tell her'
'Guys! Someone tell her!' Sreya stopped
them.
Vishal looked at Harini. With huge
disappointment on her face, Harini started.
'Sravanti and Bindu argued. Now Sravanti
left and went away with her mom.'
WHAT!? The worst happened. And I am
afraid of Bindu right now. I wanna talk to Sravanti, but- She didn't even wake
me up to say a goodbye at least…
I don't even have her mobile number. Why
did she do this all of a sudden? Is it because of Bindu?
'Avanti,' Harini shrugged me.
'I don't know what to do.' I uttered in
despair.
My scar started glowing. I hid it
because it traced a magical line out of my wrist and completed the scar shape.
Is my scar missing its connection with Sravanti's scar? That's what I feel
like- a longing sense of connection between her and me. I never felt something
like this. Very weird.
---
I
woke up the next day for another day I wish was interesting. Yesterday was a
rollercoaster ride. And now my friendship with Bindu was- um, unexplainable…
Whoever this Sravanti is, she made me look at my scar in a way that's
uncomfortable. I wanna bond with Sravanti- but I don't wanna at the same time.
It's a paradox I have never seen. A magic trick that can't be unseen. I don't
know what to do now.
My life is a foreign language for me.
Ahhh!
As I was packing my bag for school
tomorrow, Vishal came to me, his hands reaching out for my bag.
'Did you see my English text book?' He
asked me, looking at my bag.
'Nope.' I replied.
'Can I check your bag?'
'Sure,' I showed him my bag.
He pulled my bag and started scanning
it. His wrist looks weird for some reason…
He left my bag, sighing in
disappointment. 'Nope. It's not here.' He said.
'Where did you leave it the last time?'
I asked him.
'I swear I kept it in my bag! Tomorrow
that psycho English teacher will kill me if I don't do my homework!' he slapped
his forehead.
'Alright. Take my Textbook for a while
and give it back to me.' I said to him.
He looked at me as if I am a goddess.
'Thanks!' he smiled.
He searched my bag and took my English
textbook out of it. 'We should write each 300 word essay 5 times right…' He
asked me for clarification.
Wait- EACH 300 WORD ESSAY FOR 5 FREAKING
TIMES??? I didn't even start my homework! I widened my eyes in shock.
'Are you okay?' He asked me again.
I grabbed my Textbook from his hand
immediately. I need to finish my work first right?
'Hey! What happened?' He asked me in
shock.
'I didn't even write a single letter of
my homework. I can't give you my Textbook.'
'Same here!' He shrugged.
What? At least, I am not alone… but
wait.
Whenever I try to write something, my
scar magically helps me to write quickly right? I can just complete this in a
few minutes honestly even if it takes 100 pages long.
'Remember? There are 17 essays in 4th
chapter and 6 essays in 5th chapter. That's 23 in total.' Vishal
said.
The numbers are frightening. But I have
my scar.
'Um… I'll give you after I complete my
homework.' I said.
'Oh, after my funeral in English class
tomorrow? Or after you get grey hair and wrinkles?' He asked me with a weak
voice.
'No, after a few minutes.' I uttered.
'A few minutes? Are you kidding me? 23
essays! Each 5 times!' He said, exaggerating his expressions.
I nodded because I can.
'No. I can't believe you.' He said,
folding his hands.
'Excuse me, this is MY textbook.' I
reminded him.
He raised his eyebrows. 'Well, let's do
one thing. I will complete my homework in just 10 minutes and I will give you
back. I swear- PLEASE.' He said, joining his hands.
Can HE complete this in 10 minutes? How?
'No, I don't believe you. Since this is
MY book, I will complete my homework first and give it to you. You can take all
the rest of the time in this world to complete it.'
I said and came back to my chair and
ignored whatever he said after.
'Remember? I am the one who even
reminded you about homework in the first place.'
'Go away, let me do my homework' I
pushed him out of my room and shut the door. Can't he understand the situation?
I can complete it in 10 minutes because I have my scar. But he can't right?
He's just kidding. He can't write it in 10 minutes.'
'Avanti!' Vishal started hitting my
door. I ignored it.
I sat on my desk. I lifted my pen and my
scar started twinkling. As soon as I landed my pen on the paper while looking
at my text book, the pen ran smoothly like an athletic runner. All of my
thoughts of the essay were shifted to my homework book in a span of seconds.
This way, I can write anything easily right?
What's more beautiful is how the magical
string that came out of my scar hugged my pen like grape wine. My pen flew
through pages as fast as my thoughts. And writing each 4 more times isn't that
hard either.
And the best part? I remember these
essays and can easily write them without seeing. Since my teacher wants us to
write the essays exactly how she told us, we can't write essays on our own
words. So, this is a huge win!
In just 8 minutes, I completed the
homework with neat, clear handwriting and without strikes. I guess our English
teacher would faint after looking at my notes, thinking how I was able to
complete this. Who the heck would even give this much homework for just one
Sunday?
Anyways, I'll give this Textbook to that
idiot.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw
Vishal's death glare. I fell back on my doormat after seeing him standing in
front of the door like a ghost as if I killed him.
'Give,' he said, maintaining his poker
face.
I blinked.
I barged on him hitting him with my text
book as he resisted.
'ARGHHH! Stop!' Vishal shouted.
Harini came to see what's happening.
Vishal and I started having a tug of war with my English Textbook.
'Oh, just normal sibling things.' Harini
shrugged and went away.
Finally, we ended up with a crumbled
textbook and two disappointed faces.
'Fine. Take it and give me as soon as
possible.' I said.
'Ya ya, I will.' He said in the most
careless tone possible.
I went back to my room, cussing under my
breath. He said he will give it in 10 minutes. If he doesn't, I am gonna kick
him- wait, 10 minutes? He's kidding right?
He went into his room and closed his
door. I can't see what he's doing. How could he complete it in 10 minutes like
me?
Wait- and he concealed his wrist… Does
that mean he also has a scar like me and Sravanti? Is he trying to hide it?
I should see his scar. I should see his
hand. I never did in these 14 years when we grew together like siblings.
I glanced around my room. There's a
window- but it's useless. My gaze flickered towards a periscope in a shelf.
Maybe I can use it to see how he's doing his homework…
I
dusted off the periscope which was a project we made for science fair three
years ago. I hope the mirrors are in good condition though. And I hope my scar
helps me too.
My scar started pulsing brightly, which
means we should start. Let's go!
There is no one around his room. Yeah,
who would be? He ain't a celebrity. I pushed the door a tiny bit forward. Even
if I pushed it really slow, it still squealed like a soprano. Anyways, he
didn't notice it.
I moved a bit forward to see through my
periscope.
But I can't see anything. The mirrors
aren't clear. I cleaned them right? As I tried to check my periscope, the door
in front of me swung back and hit my periscope. The periscope fell down. And a
mirror broke. And there was a crack. And it was huge enough to be audible for
him.
Why is there too much air!??? I slowly
picked up the pieces, trying to walk away.
'What happened to the door? There's no
glass over there-' Vishal asked.
Did he see me? Did he know that it's me?
'Who is there here?' Vishal questioned
himself.
'No one-' I uttered in stress and ran
away from there while dropping a piece of mirror near his door.
'Eh? No one?'
My stupid brain doesn't know how to act
in these situations. No one? When did my brain's critical thinking expire?
Maybe after I started wanting to
befriend Sravanti? How can she come and leave like that? Why did our parents
even leave us in different places? Don't they want us to stay together? But
why? Because our parents don't want us. Whoever they are, I hate them. I don't
even wanna see my parents if they're alive. Sravanti left me for better.
I have one question. Parents don't
usually hate their children. Then why did our parents abandon us?
I looked at my scar which just sat on
my wrist. No pulsing, no twinkling. Just colorless silence. This scar is the
only thing that stayed with me all along. Will this scar take me to where I
belong? But no- I can't even dream about leaving this home.
Why do I have a scar that possesses
magical powers in a normal world in which my parents left us? Maybe I don't
belong here? Am I an alien?
---
CHAPTER-6: I LOVE MY SCAR!
Today,
I should definitely figure out what this Vishal is doing. I just don't wanna
feel alone. Being the only one with a magical scar and not knowing how to even
use it properly?
'Avanti-' Padma started calling me for
today's breakfast, as always.
'It's getting late' she shouted again. Arghh!
I wish Sravanti was here- I would get an
excuse to skip school and live peacefully. But I'll try to talk to Vishal
today- what if another twist- nope. I should see if he has a scar like mine! My
scar started glowing faintly- is it really responding to my thoughts? I'll take
it as a yes! Let's go-
'AVANTI!!!' Padma shouted again
aggressively.
I
left the room and ate my breakfast- which was boring. Vishal was eating slowly.
I should wait to walk with him. So, I started acting like I'm fixing my hair.
Bindu glanced at me.
I smiled and waved, 'Hey'
But she chose to me give me the silence
treatment. She rolled her eyes and left. My smile faded as soon as she reacted
like that. This is embarrassing.
'Hey, Avanti- will you come to school or
not?' Harini asked me, while I was looking at Bindu just- leave me…
'Ayyyy,' Harini shrugged me. 'How long
will it take for you to fix your hair?'
I still didn't reply. Bindu was happily
talking to Ravi and Sreya and is even walking with them. Bindu left me…
'Go wash your plate Vishal' Padma told
him as he was trying to escape with his bag.
His face turned into a mashed potato.
With a disappointed face, he took his plate to kitchen.
Harini sighed and left as I wasn't
responding. Bindu was still there near the door, talking with others while
smiling. Why didn't she leave already? To hurt me? Should I join them too?
I slowly walked towards them as none of
them noticed.
'And he literally thinks he's the school
crush!' Bindu said and everyone burst into laughter.
'I can't even imagine a girl not
rejecting him!' Ravi said.
Bindu saw me. As I stepped forward, she
rolled her eyes again. She started stepping forward and others started walking
with her. Is she intentionally trying to leave me? What was the freaking
mistake I did? She's reacting as if I killed her brother!
'Bindu-' Padma called her.
She turned back to come in. On the other
hand, Vishal- who's giving me weird looks was looking like he's trying to
escape from me.
'Coming…' She said.
I joined her to see what Padma would
tell her.
Bindu glared at me sharply- so sharp,
her looks could slice a rock easily.
'Where's that Vishal?' Padma asked us,
looking over the door.
'He's over there' I pointed out.
He completely freaked out. Padma signed
him to come. He came, walking slowly like a shy bride. 'Hehe, I just wanna be
early…' He spoke awkwardly.
'Early to where? Heaven or what? For
god's sake if I leave you and Avanti alone, I wouldn't be surprised even if an
alien kidnapped you both. You came to eighth grade. But your brains are stuck
at eight years old only!'
Bindu was literally dying- DYING to stop
her laughter. Vishal was glaring at me. His looks are screaming- "I called you
when you were taking the wrong turn!" I have no choice other than accepting my
fate.
'I don't know, if I leave you two alone,
you would go to Himalayas by being immersed in your "theoretical discussions"
or you might even walk straight up to hell or heaven. Calling you both dummies
would be an insult for innocent dummies. I have adopted you two right? Wouldn't
you both adopt some brain and senses?'
Bindu closed her mouth, but a snort
escaped her. Padma looked at her seriously. Bindu closed her mouth tightly,
holding her laugh. Padma turned to us.
'I shouldn't even hear these things
happening again. You're straightly going to school, and coming back. THAT'S IT.
No other direction. I don't know if you would try to memorize the address or
remember the landmarks- but for now,' She looked at Bindu.
'Dear Bindu, Today onwards you take
these two little brats with you to school and from school. Without someone who
actually has a brain, these two would act like donkeys- sorry, donkeys at least
do their work, but these two won't! Oh my god… With god's grace, see how I told
you about English homework and saved you?'
I looked down… She's saying a little too
much at this point.
'Anyways, I might've said too much. Go.
Bindu, take them dear.' She said.
I and Vishal looked at Bindu. Her
eyebrows are raised, eyes wide and jaw is dropped. Her hands are shaking but
she looked stiff.
'Go' Padma said.
Bindu turned around and we started
following her with our bags. She's walking straight- silently. As soon as we
came out of our orphanage, both Bindu and Vishal distanced themselves from me
intentionally.
'You can talk to her Vishal; just
remember to follow me without getting lost.' Bindu said.
Vishal, laughing awkwardly said, 'No
thanks- um, you can talk to her, she looks like she's lonely.' And he whispered
something to her which I couldn't here.
Bindu looked at me and turned back. 'No
Vishal, You talk to her-'
'Bindu, you don't understand-'
'I mean, she didn't even ask- what's
your problem?'
'But look at her! She wants to talk to
you-'
'If you can't see her being lonely, then
you can-'
'STOP.' I interrupted them.
Bindu rolled her eyes and Vishal was
avoiding eye contact. Bindu sniffed. We looked at her.
'It's just cold- I'm not crying.' She
said, wiping a tear from her red eyes.
This is enough. I can't stay here with
these two. Even if I have people around me, this loneliness is unsettling. I
stormed off, running away from them.
'She'll get lost!'- I didn't care.
Now I understand what Sravanti told me…I
really wanna talk to her- once again please! If I forget the route again? No-
Padma would fry me until my soul vaporizes. I looked at my scar. A
Sravanti already knew how to control her
scar right- she learnt it herself by experimenting. What if I experiment with
mine?
I gently brushed my scar. Its color
intensity increased. Will it respond to me?
'Hello?' I said, not knowing what else to say.
The
Scar's light started moving in a wavy motion, as if a jelly is smoothly, slowly
breathing. My mind cleared as I closed my eyes. There's something in front of
me- I opened my eyes. There's nothing. I dared to close my eyes again.
I felt it. There's definitely something
around me. Something solid- no. It's juicy and cold and warm- is it air? I
opened my eyes again.
There's nothing around me again. I
closed my eyes…
Jelly and fuzzy feel- this is solid, but
it's not. I can pick it up- but it's a fluid. What's around me? I swept my
hands in air- and I feel every single particle of that fuzzy kinda thing. I
picked it up like sand and it dragged down like slime. This feels like child's
play. Relaxing…
As I picked up as much as I could,
something started sucking all of that from my hands. Is it my… Scar?
I opened my eyes. There's nothing in
front of me. Nothing happened. Just silence. What happened till now? What did I
pick up? And why did my scar suck it up?
I brushed my scar again. The glow
bounced and danced like a baby who just ate food. Did I just "feed" my scar?
Did I activate it? Maybe should I use it?
Wait- I am supposed to go to school
right! I looked at my watch- it's 8:25AM! If I don't reach my school by 8:30, I
would die! My scar wiggled. At this time?
I looked around. If I start now, it
would take more than 40 minutes reach school. I'm done.
My scar wiggled again. Is the scar
trying to help me?
'Help please, scar' I whispered
awkwardly to my scar. Would that help? Oh- maybe should I do that picking up
thing again? What should I do?
I closed my eyes and moved my hands
desperately- maybe this would work- this one should. But I can't find anything
else to collect. What's happening? When I did it at first, it was successful,
why not now??? I closed eyes again, shoving hands into the air- hold on.
Something is coming out of my scar. Is
this scar spitting out all of the- whatever I fed it? I opened my eyes.
Neon pink colored strings are coming out
of my half heart shaped scar. These strings reached my legs and started
covering my legs. And before I could do or say anything, these strings covered
my eyes too.
'What's happening?' I whispered in rage.
No response.
But the strings slowly started leaving
my legs and then, my face.
As I opened my eyes, I met with extreme
shock- I am just before the school gate- everyone is going in… My scar did
this!? I looked around with excitement. Vishal and Bindu who are just a few
steps away are coming.
Vishal saw me first. He rubbed his eyes
and pinched himself and poked Bindu's shoulder. Bindu looked at me. I smirked
and entered into the school. Vishal didn't stop staring me in shock even after
we came to our classes.
'Why is Vishal staring at you like
that?' My bench mate, Pranathi asked me.
I dropped my bag down and sat on my
place. 'He's just shocked.' I said, smirking.
'Why is he shocked?'
I looked at her, 'Because I came to
school before him.'
'So?'
'Just leave, you won't get it…' I said.
School was till now really great because
of my scar- and yes, that English teacher almost fainted, looking at my
homework. Well, I and Vishal are the only ones who did the homework in the
entire class… Because, who the freak would do that much homework in just a
day??? 23 essays, each 5 freaking times? The most someone did was writing 23
essays, only once.
Now it is lunch break. But there's a
problem. Bindu would also be in cafeteria where we all should eat. Can my scar
do something about it? And I should see what Vishal has on his Wrist too.
I came to the cafeteria with Pranathi.
'Will you sit with Bindu today too? Then
I'll go eat with my friends- bye!' She said left before I could even speak.
What should I do? Bindu was over there
talking with her friends. Should I talk to her?
'Hey, Bindu- I'm sorry' I said after I
reached her. She raised her brows.
'I mean, you're still my best friend
right- don't look at me as if I destroyed you!'
'I don't care you anymore. Because,
you've got another friend- sorry, sister'
'But,'
'Don't annoy me-' she stopped me. Her
friends were holding their laughs- for what? How in the world this is a funny
scene for her freaky friends?
'Who's annoying you? I am you're
bestie,'
'Stop talking to-'
'All I did was talk to another gir-'
'But you wanted to leave me!' She said
louder.
I stopped. I didn't want to leave her at
all… Why does she think like that? Just because I made another friend doesn't
mean I left this friend-
I opened my mouth to speak-
'You decided to be her sister like a
gold digger!' She said loud.
Everyone looked at us. Bindu was panting
as if she just came out of a marathon.
'Gold digger- you can leave now!' Bindu
said again.
Gold digger? Everyone was staring at me
as if I am a criminal…
I walked towards a clean corner,
embarrassed. Everyone started doing their own businesses. Even Pranathi was
looking at me- is this why Bindu didn't like me? A rush of sadness filled my
heart. I looked at my scar- which isn't glowing. I brushed it.
Still, nothing. Is this all because my
parents left me in the first place? Why do they want to make my life more
complicated? Bindu isn't just angry- she's also disgusted by me.
'Avanti,' I felt a hand on my shoulder.
'Vishal?' I was surprised- immediately
my gaze flickered to his wrist.
'Bindu is doing too much right' He said.
His wrist has something like a rectangle
shaped thing- he has a SCAR too? But a different shape?
'You're not a gold digger though- she's
just acting out of control' Vishal said.
I looked at my scar and his- even if the
shapes are different, the way they are structured in depth on skin was
literally the same! Yes, my theory is proven right now- he could do magic too-
but, is he my brother? Like twin brother or what?
'I swear no one cares about what Bindu
said to you. She's just weird sometimes-'
I looked at his face? Hmm- no
similarities though- he's definitely not related to me…
'Hello? Avanti? Are you alive?' He moved
his hand in front of my face.
'Yeah, just wondering why I am abandoned
by my parents.'
'What?' he said- his jaw dropped.
I nodded, 'If I and Sravanti are
biological twins, then why did our parents separate us at our birth? They
intentionally wanted to abandon us.'
'I mean, she could be your dopple ganger
right?' Vishal said.
'No. She isn't. She's my biological
twin.'
'How are you confidently sure about it?'
He asked, hiding his arm- well, I don't care now.
'Because we both have sca-' I stopped.
Should I tell him? For sure, he's
definitely an alien like me and Sravanti- I mean, we're just too different
though, but if I tell him, what will he do? I can trust him right? Because as
he was also hiding his scar, he can understand I mean and maybe he would open
up too?
'You both?' Vishal asked me.
'Um, I should tell you a huge secret. I
just hope you won't share it to anyone.' I whispered.
He blinked, and quickly took a glance at
his hand. 'What?'
'I have this scar since childhood right?'
'You call it a scar?' Vishal asked me.
What? Doesn't he know what a scar is?
While having one?
'I just call these things as scratches.'
He said.
Oh… He has his own naming.
'Whatever, this scar I have- I can do
magic with it. That's how I came to school before you.'
He widened his eyes. 'Oh… So that's how
you even wrote English homework in few minutes?' I nodded.
My scar started burning. And it is
hurting. What is this out of nowhere???
'What else you could do with it?'
'I- um, I and Srav- Sravanti also has
the same scar- and if we put our wrists together, our scars form a heart
shape.'
Vishal dropped his jaw. 'Wow… So, you
both could do magic together?'
My scar is continuously eating the life
of my hand- What should I do?
'So, that means, you two are definitely
related! And- that means your parents-'
I pressed my scar tightly as it started
feeling like the scar is eating my hand alive.
'Separated you intentionally. That's
sad.'
I slapped my hand- the scar stopped
burning.
'What did you-'
'Uh- nothing. Just for fun, you know.'
He looked at me with concerned eyes.
'You're masking your sadness right? I
feel like your parents must be searching you. Maybe you could find your family?
You found Sravanti right?'
'Stop telling me that Sravanti coming to
my life is a good thing for me. It only took Bindu away from me, and now I am
left with no one. If I ever see my parents, I wanna ask them loudly-' a tear
filled my eye.
I looked down and lowered my voice.
'Why did they just- leave me like that?
And now? I can't have Bindu or leave her. I wanna be with Sravanti- but she
reminds me of parents, and I have this scar which I haven't figured out how to
use? Or how to even control it- I was right at start- I am meaningless. I used
live for Bindu for meaning but now? But n- n- now B- Bindu just…' I closed my
face with hands, lowering my head onto my laps.
I don't even have a cloth to wipe my wet
hands too. I sniffed.
'I- I just- no one cares for me- I'm
just- what if I have to leave Bindu forever? My only f- f- r- friend- d?' I
cried with my broken voice.
My heart is pounding harder and is
heavier now- I am lifting a ton now.
'I hate m- m- m- p- parents! I HATE
THEM' I said louder and closed my face again.
Vishal was just patting me gently.
'I h- ate my l- life- e. I don't-'
'You are going through a lot. As always,
reality is a disaster bro…' he said.
I wiped my eyes with my uniform and sat
straight, coughing.
'It's okay… I swear, someday, you'll
sure ask your parents- you'll definitely get the answers you need- be strong
and patient. But for right now, just experiment with your scar and enjoy it-'
He said. I simply nodded.
I brushed my scar gently- it vibrated in
neon green. I don't know why, but the green vibe was cool and comforting…
'Gotta go- bye, take care' he said and
left.
Some green feely air surrounded me as if
it was comforting me. Maybe my scar burned before because I was sad too. I
another tear plunged out of my eyes. I smiled even if it's bitter sweet. I
might have no one. But I have my scar… I kissed my wrist gently.
Bindu was looking at me as if I am an
idiot.
I saw her.
'Let's go guys,' Bindu said and left
with her friends.
I am not an idiot. I just love my scar.
My heart is still crying in spicy anger and cold sadness. Now onwards, I live
for my scar- but the fact that I have no other human who listens to me is
breaking me…