Storm of the Bruised Hearts -Chapter 7 (EDKV) [by Ariana]

Knock knock look who’s here… Me!!! Ik it’s a quick update after my long lecture abt busy life. But honestly I was planning to post on Saturday so technically it’s a late post.
I decided to keep on posting slowly than ending abruptly as u all wanted that. Thanks for being so understanding! It means a lot.

****Now before I get into my small chapter, I need to convey a msg from Ruchi
“Firstly i want to apologise to everyone for not commenting on their ff’s/Os…
nd secondly i wanna ask that whether –
1) I should end my ff abruptly
2)post my ff whenever i get time
3)post remaining part of my ff in the form of one shot nd provide links of previous epi’s
thanks for bearing my ff nd for always supporting me…”
Pls reply to Ruchi’s question on the comment box below or just PM her. ***

Coming back to my story- here it goes (WARNING: short and boring but pls hold on…)

CHAPTER 7: HOME ALONE

(Sumo’s POV)
The warm air seeped into my warm blanket as I moaned in discomfort. -6 degree!!! Shravan and Push laughs saying it’s nothing compared to Canada’s regular winter but my soul craves for more warmth. Ever since Shravan graduated, he interrogates around the house 24/7 which annoys me. Unknowingly, I made this place ‘my home’ and ‘ruled’ but since the real owner took authority, I feel helpless.
My heavy deserted thoughts broke as I heard cracked crunches coming from the kitchen…
“My KITCHEN!!!” I cried out throwing the thick furry blanket into the air and running through the open door to MY property.
Brown stains all over the base, some white powers spotted over the cabins with water rolling down the sink as foggy air made its way out the microwave.
“SHRAVAN MALHOTRA! HOW DARE YOU?” I yelled as my voice repelled all the way through the smoke. As I cleared the white air in front of my eye flexing my hands, I saw a tall yellow tee-ed figure smiling at me.
“Oh Sumo! U scared me for a while, but look,” He pulled the black burnt bowl out of the microwave with his hand which was protected with baking gloves. On his wear was a yellow Simpson tee and black trackers. The ‘special’ set of uniform included a blue apron, baking gloves and a chef cap!
“Why do u need all these rubbish just for making popcorns?” I asked sarcastically to avoid the anger which would erupt any moment.

“Protection- Same as u need to wear helmet, clamp mask, goggles, wooden headphones and strain proof suit while contracting.” He replied walking pass me to the kitchen suite and landing the burnt bowl over the wooden surface.
WOW!! He compares cooking with wood and auto work? He isn’t playing with tar or wood filler. Heating buttered popcorn- and all these…I wonder how he managed a life before I stepped in.
“Uhhh cooking is sooooo stressful! I’m glad these popcorns turned perfect.” He groaned in proudness
“You mean these black ones?” I taunted pointing at the nearly coal bowl filled with dark flower shaped materials which he calls popcorns.
“You racist!!!” My mouth fell in shock as he gave a horror look like I did some crime. Well being racially prejudiced is a crime but calling a burnt coal corn black isn’t racist. I didn’t know what to say but protesting was required so I started, later realising my volcano’s molten lava is cooling down without much eruption.

(Shravan’s POV)
As Ms. Sumo kept lecturing me about diverse Canada and cooking skills, I couldn’t stop but beam. How the world replayed in front of me, again, but things changed over decades. For a while thin threads of pain penetrated my soul as memories flew over my head but I knew time moves at its own pace not waiting for anyone and I had to cope with it at my own. Ignoring the golden-black corner of me, I focused on Sumo- the girl who had been so lost in her own world of fantasy dreaming about her authority. I smiled at her childish face which turned cherry for non-stop blabbering. This was a better scene than any part of the movies I have on my Saturday Movie Night list. I puffed some popcorn into my mouth to enjoy and stay more entertained and…phuuuuuuwww
Those were popcorn? The grossest one I’ve ever tried! I ran to the jar to take a glass of water and erase the last bit of taste from my mouth. Unfortunately, I had to agree with Chef. Sumo’s words. These were horrible. Tasted nothing but like hard soured paper. Ewwwwww…
“Of course! What did I expect more from its look?” She said pitying my reaction.
“Looks can be deceiving.” I protested.
“Experience isn’t. And besides that, there is a term known as ‘common sense’ which gives to a general idea that burnt popcorns would suck!”
“Noooo it DOESN’T. It’s the best popcorn ever! Better than Compliment (It’s a popcorn brand). See colourful too. Some black, some brown, and some caramel dark-”
“Which luckily escaped from the heat burn. Now stop lying to me, I’ll make some fresh ones for u.” Finishing her words, she snatched the bowl from my fingers and stepped at the ‘press’ point of the bin to throw these black coals away when my ego popped up. I just objected saying mines are the best so it’ll be stupid to sound defeated.
“NOOOO. I’ll have these,” I said boldly as my heart shrank with a small ‘ewww’. She gave me a questioning eye but I decided not to look at her, as it’ll let out my feelings so I walked pass her snatching the bowl, taking the mug of espresso on the other hand and rushing into the living room, jumping onto the davenport.
I struggled through the list of movies I had as I heard her turning on the microwave. She must be making some Kernels ones. Soon the thick smell of butter made its way to my nose as she walked into the living room holding a transparent bowl showing off her perfectly yellow-brown fluffy cheese looking, butter-caramelled popcorn. I kept on staring at her from the edge of my eye, trying to hide my grief but neither did she show any interest on sharing hers. Slowly she landed on the couch beside me and puffed some into her mouth as she spoke mouthful,
“Ohhh lemme see which movie should we play.” Smoothly she rushed the remote from my hand and ran through the options. Oh wow now I have no rights on my own house! She didn’t even ask for the remote.
“No need to sweat off. I’ll watch Fast and Furious” I pleaded though I wanted it to sound like an order.
“Buy a Lamborghini first. We’ll watch Despicable Me 2.” She fought back with higher energy.
“That’s so childish! Grow up Sumo!!!”
“Oh really then how about Blue Valentines?”
“R U SERIOUS? U wanna watch it with ME!!! Hell that’s an adult movie.” I yelled out my heart. This girl has gone nuts. Will I ever be able to understand her? One sec she offers a children’s movie the next sec she turns all crazy thinking of watching ‘those’ sort movies.
“Then how should I sound as a ‘grown up? U got problem with children’s movie, also with adult’s movie, oh great teen’s movies r left- Paper Town.”
“Oh wow let’s watch Titanic.” I suggested sarcastically.
“Ewww… Romantic? How about something horror?”

OMFG!!! This girl…what is she? She wants to watch a horror film? Guts!!! I raised my eyes questioningly as she gulped and acted as if it’s her piece of cake. It gave me the answer. She was trying to hide her fear and stay up to my level. For a moment I felt joyful thinking of the fact how compromising she can get. She literally stepped out of her comfort zone to meet up to mines. Just like ‘her’. But then a touch of reality tapped me. Neither was she ‘her’ not did she open up…ever. This would remain the truest statement that Sumo never shared anything about herself to me or Chote. Like always, she wore the thickest mask and smiled. Chote might have gotten fooled but I tracked every bit of the strangeness as if I know her for ages and every tad of her soul is exposed to me. She had been a mystery ball. Not her behaviours but the reasons behind it. All that I know about her is because I faced someone someday earlier with same feet. I wish she ever trusted me much to share but I won’t dare to ask her for that will bring much of each of our hidden chapters up. My thoughts paused as she spoke out of the blue,

“I didn’t say anything that would put u in a dilemma. I’ll be okay with a horror film. How about The Witch?”
“No thanks. Already have one beside me.” I replied not letting her suspect my thoughts. Before I could let out a small chuckle the soft pillow landed on my face. “Someone just proved my words to be true.”
“Ok fine we’ll watch The Exorcist. It isn’t that scary. Better for u.” She said trying to pity my cowardness.
I coughed intentionally just to point her words when she gave me a ‘whtever’ look.
“U knw Chote will be sad knowing we had a movie night without him.”
“Matters not! He is busy chilling with his friends on that stupid Logan’s sleepover party.” She pointed out playing The Exorcist.
Within the first 30 mins, I realised it was a popcorn movie and I had to chew something. While I kept struggling with my burnt corns, Sumo intentionally chew her ones harder moving all her facial muscles- to show off.

Every time the doctor tried to walk to the roof or the doll shook, she filled her mouth with popcorn or hide her eyes under the mug’s rim pretending to sip some of her hot chocolate. Sensitive girl!
“Sumoooo.” I whispered not being able to control my desire of popcorn any longer. She didn’t respond. Her eyes were thrown into the screen while the heart stayed hidden behind the door of my neighbour’s house! “Summooo” No responds
“Sumoooooooooo” No responds
“SuMoo” No responds
“SUMO!!!”
“Ahhh ‘Shravo’(this is Italic front)!”
I felt my tee’s thin neckline being pulled in as her face buried on my chest allowing her hands to strongly grip behind my back bone. Her body shivered against mines for a while but nothing mattered as my mind was lost of her word. Did she call me…

Slowly she got off my warmth but her eyes on mines, both confused for a while.
“Sorry! Ummm actually I got scared.” She admitted as her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
Nothing came to my concern except for her previous words…
“Sumo what did you just call me?” I asked trying to hide the thick viscous air which was stuck on my throat.
“Shravan.” She replied without hesitation.
No she didn’t! At least I didn’t hear Shravan. It was something else… Just to ensure I asked her again but her answer remained unchanged. Did I just hallucinate? Was that just a part of my life playing back?
“Why did u call me?” She asked pulling me off my concern.
“Errrr” I hesitated looking at the bowl of fresh caramelled popcorns which lied on the table. Before I could continue she removed the bowl from my vision and gave me a cold ‘no sharing’ look. I managed smiling coldly and turned my eyes on the screen when my body felt a thin layer of fabric over it and a small hand. -heart skipped a beat- | -heart skipped two beats- | -heart skipped three beats-
“Sumo HHHEEEELLPPP!!!” I cried the house out of my mouth which paused at a childish laughter. As I looked around, I saw what was expected. She pranked me. Slowly I coped with the environment surrounding me and realized it was nothing but Sumo who was trying to pull me under her shawl just to take my soul off. Pretty revenge… I didn’t even plan that first one out. She was the light hearted one. Uh girls!!!

(Sumo’s POV)
I couldn’t stop giggling at this situation. Someone should have recorded that scene. Shravan Malhotra’s hidden face… It could be his ACTUAL hidden face. Scared and childish… This could be what he was hiding from me.. But chances were so low of him sharing his life. However it wouldn’t affect us… I accepted him and Push with their history, chemistry, biology everything!!! Nothing of their past, or horror mood would come between us…
I was struggling to cover the coldness until I felt sudden movement. Shravan just pulled his body inside my shawl and squished both of us to adjust the space.
“Punishment. I didn’t do that intentionally but u did that with ur eyes and nose open. Better pay now. So these popcorn and shawl in mine too.” He smirked ordering me. Though his warmth went through me, his drive caused some cold air to slip into my territory causing me to groan in discomfort. It was freaking cold!!! Someone should explain the jerk next to me that I am not used to this weather!!!
He was warm and comforting…I must admit it. Though both covered with the same shawl, we shared some distance which allowed cold air to walk in. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to hug him driving into his heat. It wasn’t intimacy, it was necessity- I was going pale.

(Shravan’s POV)
While enjoying the fresh sweet popcorn with a horror touch from the movie, I turned to look at the guilty friend of mine, which caused me to choke. She was rubbing her hands around her arm trying to create static electricity and keep her warm as her fingers fell brighter in shade giving a touch of blue. Damn I forgot to turn on the heater! I cursed myself as I jumped away from the shawl and rushed to the heater switch, which was right opposite to the tv and turned it on.
“I’m sorry Sumo!! Forgot to turn it on. It’ll take a bit of time, just wait a few mins. I’ll…I’ll get u some more hot chocolate.” I suggested running to the open kitchen as she called me back in a weak tone.
“Shravan…No need. Mine is still warm. And I can take in some of ur espresso if u r ok.’ I definitely was. “Would u mind closing the windows?” She asked gently gulping some popcorns.
Crap! Shravan u r an ass. How could u forget to close the freaking windows? But those were close before-my brain replied trying make me feel better. Uh yesssss I made the whole house cover with smoke while making the popcorns- definitely Sumo opened them to let the air out. Smart girl-dumb me! Without struggling through my thoughts for any longer, I ran to the windows and closed them all.

The room wasn’t heating like a magical fireburn. Sumo waited patiently as her body temperature dropped which made me more restless. I was seating by her tapping my hand on her back saying her to enjoy the movie and not think of the coldness.
“Shravan I’m fine. Don’t treat me like a kid.” She smiled at my face placing her right hand on mines. I was comforted by her words but as soon as I felt her frozen fingers, my heart skipped a beat. She must have been dying!
I stood removing her hand from mines and walked to her room informing “I’ll get a blanket for u. Just-”
“Relax Shravan!” She protested as I turned to look at her. “Don’t leave me here. I’m…errrr…scared. Pls just sit here next to me.” She tapped on the couch seat right next to her, where I was relaxing earlier.
My heart melted at her childishness. Now all of it made sense to me. She didn’t wish for another hot chocolate because she was scared of being alone. Oh this girl was seriously something especially unique. Bold a min, scared cat the next. I smiled as I positioned myself next to her and got absorbed into the movie while she slowly rested her head on my shoulder.
________
So u finally survived through this boring epi. Sry, I did want to trim off this part from the story but thought u all need a break from my serious atmosphere. Besides, in this silly chap, I had hidden some HUGE clues which I won’t point out. All these time I made my hints clear but not onwards I decided to throw the lines so that u can think ur way out. (Uk good to see more creative perspectives)
So here r today’s clue/lines: (The POV r mentioned so that u can track down the lines easily)
(Sumo’s POV)
– “I wonder how he managed a life before I stepped in.”
-“It could be his ACTUAL hidden face. Scared and childish…”

(Shravan’s POV)
-“How the world replayed in front of me, again, but things changed over decades”
-“time moves at its own pace not waiting for anyone and I had to cope with it at my own.”
-“Just like ‘her’”(Notice the emphasized ‘her’)
-“Neither was she ‘her’ not did she open up…ever”
– “she wore the thickest mask and smiled”
-“I tracked every bit of the strangeness as if I know her for ages and every tad of her soul is exposed to me.”
“All that I know about her is because I faced someone someday earlier with same feet.”
-“I wish she ever trusted me much to share but I won’t dare to ask her for that will bring much of each of our hidden chapters up.”
-“Ahhh ‘Shravo’”
-“ Did I just hallucinate? Was that just a part of my life playing back?”

Quick question:
Don’t u think Shravan overreacted when Sumo was feeling cold?
XXX
So yah now here I pause…. A huge surprise coming up sooooooon! Just wait for the nxt epi. Just was eager to knw when is all of ur exams ending. Besides, best of luck to all those who r either giving thr exams or waiting for the report card. Sry for all sorts of late comment. Promise to cope up soon. I’ll try posting nxt epi within a week but no promises.
Take care
Love u all
-Aru

PS: Criticisms welcomed as it was boring + short + no proofreading
PPS: Don’t forget to reply to Ruchi’s question