The Strings Of Heart

20

David POV

I turn my head and look at Sitara as she chuckled at what cherry have said. She isn't talking with me. I tried to talk to her many times but she ignored me every time.

"Pihu, stand here. Don't go away or else you will get lost," Rishi said pulling Pihu back.

"Why there are so many people?" Minu asked wrapping her tiny arms around my neck.

"They are here to watch the rally of goddess and festival like us," I explain to her looking at the hundreds of people standing on the roads.

The roads are filled out with people coming from different parts of the state to enjoy the night, watching the various rally of the goddess by different groups of people, folk music and dance.

My gaze goes to Sitara who is now enjoying the night vibes with a smile on her face.

"When was the last time you attended this festival Akka?" Rishi asked Sitara.

"Ten years ago."

"Ten years? You haven't been home for any festival?" Pihu asked. I waited for Sitara to answer the question.

"Hmm nope, only came for summer holidays."

"Sucks," Pihu said. Sitara didn't tell them anything but shifted her gaze. She is zoned out, now I realised that I have never seen her at any festival.

I have been friends with Elora and her family for years now. Aarav and I have been attending every festival without any fail. It must be tough for Sitara not to be there and enjoying the festivities.

"Haven't you felt anytime to come home for festivals?" Rishi asked.

"Hmm if there was no person who would come and pick me up what would I do. I didn't care much about it as I can't do anything about it."

"We enjoy every festival! You missed so much Sitara Akka. Even David and Aarav attend the festivals," Pihu says looking at Sitara. "You should've been here..."

"It's fine though."

"She talks so much, doesn't she?" Minu whispered in my ear. I'm carrying her as Sitara held Cherry's hand.

"Who?"

"Pihu Akka." I chuckle looking at her.

"Maybe." I turn my head to see Sitara heard what Minu said.

Being away from home and not being home for festivals is truly saddening. I just hope she talks to me.

I don't know why but there is this newfound need in me that is making me think of Sitara. I don't want her to feel left out anytime.

Before I used to believe that Sitara is a brat and doesn't obey anyone. Now all I see a broken kid who doesn't obey because they don't understand her.

I want to understand her and make her feel welcomed and important.

"David!"

"Uh-huh?"

"You zoned out, Pihu Akka is asking if we can go to the other street to watch the marfa dance," Minu spoke while others looked at me.

"Sure."

Rishi and Pihu walked ahead while Sitara, Cherry and I with Minu walked behind them.

"I like this!"

"Akka... Can I also dance?" Cherry asked Sitara as we stopped at the palaram bandi.

"Sure," she said turning her head. "You what to dance with him Minu?"

"Yes!" I released Minu and put her down.

Pihu and Rishi went deep to have a better view while Sitara and I stayed back.

I chuckled watching Minu and Cherry dance to the folk beats. It is crowded and the streets are blasting with music.

*

I get into the car slowly with a sleeping Cherry. The driver places the shopping bags in the passenger seat.

I turn my head to see Minu sleeping in the back seat. My gaze goes to Sitara who is sleeping with her head leaning against the window. I stop what I was doing as I gaze at her sleeping yet cute face.

I blink my eyes getting my senses back, I pull my phone out to text Rishi.

Rishi and Pihu met their friends and decided to be with them for some time.

Sitara and I walked around with the kids, she didn't speak to me even if I tried to ask her if she needs anything or any food.

I'm disappointed that she isn't letting me talk to her. I look at the time, it's almost three in the morning. It will take an hour or so to reach home. I have my shift in the morning.

'it will take time David, my friend will drop Pihu and me home. You guys can leave, I spoke with mum.'

I read Rishi's text.

'no, you two came with us. You can't go with your friends. We will wait in the car, it's okay. You and Pihu make sure that you are safe and come back when you two are done.'

I send him a reply. Cherry moves in his sleep. I smile as he drools leaving a wet patch on my shirt.

I lean back in my seat closing my eyes as my eyes become heavy. I had a heavy schedule and walking miles made me tired.

Soon sleep takes over with my arms wrapped around cherry holding him to me.

"David... David... David..." Someone shook me gently. I open my eyes to see the front seat. It took me a few seconds to realise that my head is leaning on Sitara's shoulder.

I blink my eyes moving my stiff neck and turn it to see Rishi and Pihu waiting.

"Wait a minute." I gently get out of the car with Cherry sticking to me like my shirt.

Pihu gets in not trying to wake Minu. She places Minu's head on her lap. Rishi gets in picking Minu's legs and placing them on his lap.

"Settled?" I ask them.

"Yes."

"Yes."

I push the seat back and get inside, the driver starts driving. I look at the time to see it's five in the morning.

My shift starts at eight, I look out of the window. The roads are empty, we will be reaching soon. I can rest for two hours and get ready.

I look back at Sitara, her hair is covering her face. Without much thinking, I tuck her hair behind her ear. By the time we reached home, Rishi and Pihu passed out.

I gently shook Sitara's arm, "Sitara... Sitara..."

"Hmm..." She groaned but didn't open her eyes.

"Sitara... Wake up, we are home..." I shook her arm again. This time she opened her eyes, stared at the front seat for a minute before looking out of the window. I got down with cherry after waking Rishi up.

"I will carry Minu and wake Pihu up," Rishi said. I nodded watching Sitara go towards the entrance.

I chuckled knowing she is sleepy. "Anna, evi intlo petesai." (brother, can you please keep them inside) I told the driver Anna.

"Okay, Nanu petestha sir." (Okay sir, I will keep them inside.)

"Thank you Anna." I smile at him before walking inside the house. I take Cherry to my room not wanting to disturb his parent's sleep.

As I cross Sitara's room, her door is halfway open. I saw her form sleeping on her stomach.

*

I yawn as Aishu aunty chuckles. "You should've stayed back David. You need proper rest after your shifts."

"No issues aunty, can't send them alone."

"Haha true, can't trust Pihu and Rishi leaving them on their own. Sitara is new to this and with kids, she can't handle it on her own."

"Hmm... Aishu aunty how does she goes to college?"

"She didn't get her driving licence yet so Ajay drops her or she goes on her own." I eat my dosa nodding my head.

"Her college is on my way to the hospital. I can drop her if it's not a problem," I tell.

"That's a good thing, thank you, David."

I smile at her before looking at the time. "She will be coming down in a minute."

I finish my breakfast and stand up with my plate. I go to the kitchen to place the plate in the washbasin.

"Are you making a lunch box, didi? (sister)" I ask Farheen.

"Uh-huh, packing Sitara's breakfast. She eats in the car."

"Oh." Just then Sitara walks in with her head down.

"I'm so tired... I don't want to go to college Aai..." I smile looking at her zombie walk.

Farheen chuckles, "but you have to submit your assignments."

"Yes..."

She lifts her head, our eyes meet, she frowns before glaring. I smile at her, "good morning."

I step out of the kitchen and wait for her to come out. Aishu aunty is now sipping her tea.

"Bye ma."

"Sitara wait," Aishu aunty calls.

"Hmm?"

"David will be dropping you at college from today."

"Why?"

"Because he goes in the same route."

"Why bother daily? Ajay Anna will drop me."

"Ajay got some other work. David and you will be leaving at the same time, why bother Ajay?" Aishu aunty says.

Sitara's brows frown in confusion, not understanding. "Huh?"

"Oh you don't know about this right, David will be living here."

She looks at me before looking at Aishu aunty.

"Why? Doesn't he have a home? What about his mother?" She asks blankly.

"Sitara... Tanu is joining the red cross. So she won't be staying home and I don't want David to live alone when he can live with us."

"Oh."

Sitara doesn't reply but starts walking towards the door.

"See you in the evening aunty."

"Drive safe David." I smile picking my bag and following Sitara.

We get in the car, she doesn't say anything. I wait till she finishes her breakfast.

"Sitara... I'm really sorry for what has happened that night. I truly didn't mean that, you misunderstood-"

"Fine... It's fine, you don't have to apologize all the time."

I blink my eyes, "I need to, I know you are angry that's the reason you are ignoring me and you have every right to be angry with me-"

"Ugh... Stop apologizing. I'm done with your apologies... Don't talk to me, I'm ignoring you because I dislike you..." She closes her eyes before massaging her face with her hands.

I focus my gaze on the roads, "why do you dislike me? What I have done?"

"I dislike you because my mum cares about you so much! Lol, she doesn't want to leave you alone but she was okay leaving me all these years..."

"Sitara... It's-"

"Honestly I don't want to hear anything. Just stay quiet before I lose my thin patience."

I shut my mouth, her words hold great loneliness which is tugging my heart. I want to stay away from her knowing whatever I'm feeling towards her isn't good for me.

But I can't help but surrender to the pull and the need of being with her to make sure that she doesn't feel alone.