The Scarlet Melody: The Change

 

My baby, wrapped in blood with wounds so fresh. Tears left their trace on her ice cold cheeks. Blood stained the marble floor. My baby, lying as dead as a dried leaf in front of me. And I was down on my knees as I felt my soul leaving my body. No, I wasn't dying, but yet I was. A mother lost the very purpose to live that day.

I am Akshara Basu, I lost my roots at an early age of six in a car accident. Since then, challenges became stepping stones for me. As years passed and I grew up, I nurtured a sense of responsibility within me. I was always over ambitious and that led me to becoming a workaholic. Work kept me away from my inhibitions and it didn't let me realise the pangs of separation. Work soon became my religion and hard work the only ritual I knew.

I went to a business meeting in New York where I met Anshul, my husband. He was a charmer. But most importantly, he understood me and my perspective. He respected my dreams and ambitions and kept me from getting over the edge. After twenty-four years since my parents passed away, I finally felt my roots redraw in a fresh soil. Now, I had another ritual added to my life, loving him and spending time with him. I underwent a change which I didn't think I was capable of. I started postponing my meetings and going out on dinner dates with him. He made me feel loved and showed me a much more beautiful side of the world.

After dating Anshul for a year, we decided to tie the knot by the end of December. Our marriage was just perfect and the only missing leaf from our perfect family tree was a new life, a baby. That day is still so vivid to me when my doctor smiled and congratulated me for becoming pregnant. I never received the love of my parents and this is why I wanted to give my all to the baby. I have never been so excited and it was a different feeling altogether to have a life growing inside you. I would talk to my baby which was still inside my womb and I would also read bedtime stories. As months passed and my baby continued to grow, it became more mischievous. I started feeling the kicks and would call Anshul hurriedly to feel them. My favourite hobby was now to go shopping for baby clothes, crib, stroller and soft toys, I wanted to be completely prepared for its arrival and wished for the baby to have all the happiness in the world.

And the special day finally arrived when I was given my baby girl to hold in my arms. She looked nothing less than an angel. Her eyes were hazel and the thick eyelashes magnified its beauty every time the eyes blinked. She wrapped around her fingers around my thumb and a soft chuckle left her mouth. My eyes were instantly wet, it overwhelmed me. I could finally watch her sleep while I read the same bedtime stories to her. Anshul stood just beside us watching the two most special women of his life smiling at him. He carefully took her in his arms, I could tell that he was nervous and his legs were weak. He looked at her carefully and said, "She has your eyes Akshara". He slowly leaned towards me and kissed my forehead gently. My life couldn't be better at that moment.

I had to take a maternity leave to look after Angel, as we lovingly called her. It was a strange feeling to be at home with no meetings to attend, no presentations to make, no deadlines to meet, but I had no regrets as I cherished every moment that I spent with her. Her presence made me realize that there is a life beyond work and sometimes we need to make certain sacrifices for our family.

Six months had passed since Angel came into our lives. It was just a normal evening, and I was watching TV while Angel was busy enjoying herself in the playroom. I picked up my phone and saw that there was a text from Anshul, “Sorry honey, I won’t be able to come home tonight. Boss gave me some urgent work that needs to be completed by tomorrow morning and this might ensure my leap to promotion. I will call you once I get some time, take care.” Just as I had finished reading the text, all my old workplace memories came splashing by and I started remembering those sleepless nights that I spent with my laptop and my coffee. Suddenly I heard some footsteps across the room and just when the lights became dim I heard the cries of Angel which pulled me back to reality. I turned around to see Angel in the room but I saw the door shut which made me anxious. Just when I got up, the lights regained their brightness. I ran towards her room and as I opened the door, I found Angel lying on the floor. I was petrified; fear and sheer confusion were the only two things I felt at that moment. I picked her up and noticed the finger impressions leaving blood clots on her arms. Her doll, now with a snapped neck, was lying on the other side of the room. I was too disoriented to take any drastic decision. I never believed in supernatural forces, but what just happened was beyond my scope of explanation. Was it paranormal? Or just some ugly coincidence? It could be my stress too. Yes! That should be it. I hurried to the fridge to get some ice cubes and comforted my Angel. Her eyes were teary, and she was continuously crying. I thought of calling Anshul, but then I didn’t want to worry him either. I made myself something to eat and this time I didn’t let Angel go out of my sight. The day had almost come to an end and there was still no word from Anshul. “Papa might be too busy Angel” I said looking at her, and we both went to sleep.

The next morning Anshul came back home at eight in the morning. I opened the door with Angel in my arms. She looked at her papa with dreamy eyes and stretched out her hands towards him. Anshul had a huge smile on his face. Angel's small and pink palms were like magic wands to Anshul, the moment they touched his face all his worries eloped his mind. He placed his bag and his phone on the tabletop and started making funny faces to Angel, she laughed till she had tears in her eyes. I could never make Anshul smile the way Angel did.

"What is this? How did Angel get such marks on her hands?" Anshul shouted as he worried.

"Angel fell down from her crib yesterday evening and she hurt her arms. I wanted to call you right away, but I didn't want to worry you either. I applied the medicine, and also contacted her doctor. She said there's nothing to worry about."

"And where were you when she fell down?" He enquired with rage.

"I was in the living room watching TV. Angel was playing in the playroom. I'm a human too and my body needs rest. "

Anshul had a disappointed look on his face. I couldn't believe he blamed me for what happened. He was upset with me for the next few hours, but then we were back to normal. Anshul was very tired that night so he went to sleep earlier than usual and I had to finish washing the dishes and change Angel's diaper before going to bed.

It was around 12:30 a.m., when Angel started crying just like every day. I got up, picked Angel from the bed and took her to the playroom to place her in the crib. I reassured her that momma will be back in five minutes with warm milk and gave her some squishy balls to play with. After that, I came out of the room and headed towards the kitchen. I opened the fridge and poured out some milk in a pan. While I was placing the pan on the stove, the lights became very dim, again. It was gloomier this time. I thought to myself "It must be voltage fluctuation", just when I heard some footsteps in the hallway. I deliberately ignored it as I thought it was due to over exhaustion. As the milk continued to boil, I poured some more to make myself a cup of coffee. The entire time I was at unease as I felt I could hear someone breathe in proximity but it wasn't me. Since yesterday, I have been feeling that I was being followed everywhere I went, almost like my shadow. I was consumed in these thoughts and forgot to turn off the flame, and the milk overflowed the vessel. Suddenly, there was a sound of slamming the door. I quickly turned off the flame and ran towards Angel's room. As I ran, my legs felt weak, my heart was throbbing. I tripped myself in the corridor and fell on my face. My head was hurting, but all I could think of was Angel. As I was struggling to stand up, I heard Angel cry aloud. I pulled myself up and hurried to the playroom. I thrashed open the door and as soon as I entered, the lights were bright again. It was as if the history was repeating itself. Anshul flew into the room, traumatized, and we found Angel crying helplessly on the floor. I had chills down my spine and fear consumed me. We picked her up and took her to our bedroom. Angel had bruises on her knees, it was more severe this time as they were bleeding. It broke my heart to see her getting hurt. I wished I could absorb all her pains. Anshul did the first aid and then I placed Angel on our bed.

"How did u hurt yourself as well Akshara? Your forehead is bleeding." He worried.

"I tripped in the corridor while I hurried to the playroom. Don't get all stressed up, I'll be okay." I assured him wiping off the blood with some cotton.

"I don't understand what is going on in this house. When I heard Angel cry so loud, I feared that something happened to her and you Akshara, as you both were not in bed. And how did Angel even fall down from her crib?"

"Angel started crying as usual so I put her in the crib to play and went to the kitchen to bring her some milk. By the time the milk was ready, Angel had already fallen down."

I didn't inform Anshul about the footsteps I heard and the door being slammed as I knew he would not believe me, rather, would put all the blame on me.

"Okay, but are you sure there's nothing more to it?"

"Yes, I'm certain." I reassured him, trying to conceal the reality.

Angel slept peacefully between us for the rest of the night, but little did we know that this peace was just the beginning of a storm.

 

To be continued...