‘You know why you are here?’
Raghu could hardly speak, his lips were cracked.
‘Because you will make me win the elections. You’re my ticket to the presidential seat of MGU.’
Krishna told the men to leave the room and asked Raghu to sit on the chair kept in the centre.
‘You have to do this for me,’ he said, handing over some papers which he brought from the other room.
‘What is it?’ Raghu said feebly. His eyes were bruised from the beating and he couldn’t make any sense of what was written on the papers.
‘Your speech.’
‘What?’
‘You heard me. This is your speech that will help me win. You have to tell everyone in campus that some people tried to attack you and kill you just because you are from a lower caste and I came and saved you in the nick of time. You will acknowledge me as your life saviour in front of everyone and that’ll make me a hero in the eyes of the students, who in turn will vote for me and make me the president of MGU. And that’s how Kraanti will spread across the nation, in different universities.’
‘You son of a bitch! You think I will do this? Never!’ Raghu screamed.
‘I am not asking you, I am ordering you to do this.’
‘What if I don’t agree?’
Krishna smirked. ‘Chris, your friend? He must be dead by now. Accidental death, of course. Mani, the missing student, remember? Even he was involved with us, but like you, even he didn’t agree to what I had said. The rest is history. Till date, no one has been able to trace him. There are big guns involved. I am just supporting them. Who knows what we’ll do to your hot girlfriend if you don’t agree to our demands. You know me well enough by now. If I can get rid of Chris, Ruhi should be easy to handle.’
‘You bastard! What did you do to Chris? How could you? I won’t spare you,’ Raghu replied, agonized and angry.
‘That’s why I am telling you to be a good boy and do as I say. You’ll be safe, your girlfriend will be safe, and you both can have a happily-ever-after.’
Raghu was scared for Ruhi. He understood that Krishna and his team could go to any length to get their work done.
Krishna said coolly, ‘You will stay here for a day. I’m taking away your mobile phone—don’t worry, I won’t read any text messages from your girlfriend. Nor your sexts.’
‘I’ll kill you, you bastard.’
‘First save yourself and Ruhi, and then you can plan to kill me. If you stay alive, that is. By the way, I love how much you love each other. I wish I could get a girlfriend like her.’ Krishna laughed. He then continued, ‘So I’ll take you to the campus after a day, and you know what you have to do there. Hope I’ve made myself clear.’ He handcuffed Raghu to the chair and left the room, locking the apartment.
Nineteen
14 July 2016
Raghu felt like his fate was sealed and there was nothing he could do. The complications of his life refused to reach a climax. He waited impatiently for hours in that small, dingy room with no windows or furniture. He was badly bruised from the fight and he felt his legs give way . . . yet sleep evaded him that night. When Krishna came to fetch him the next day, he was tired and groggy.
On their way to the college, Krishna reminded him about what he had to say. He had already concocted a story about Raghu’s return in the university, saying he had saved his life.
Raghu had to make a decision once and for all. A decision that would affect all their lives. Jai’s words rang in his head—Someday someone will manipulate you.
As their car entered the university gates, he was shocked to see students gather in large numbers to welcome him. Even in the midst of an ocean of students, his eyes searched for Ruhi but he couldn’t find her. He just wanted to make sure she was safe. The moment he got down from the car, everyone hovered around him like he was a celebrity, chanting slogans like ‘Raghu—you are our idol’ and so on. Looking at them, he realized they were going to be fooled once again. He stood there completely baffled by the unexpected reception until his eyes fell on Ruhi who was standing at the far end. Slowly, he made his way towards her, pushing through the crowds.
‘Ruhi . . . are you okay?’ he asked.
‘Where have you been all this while, Raghu? Everything’s a complete mess. Do you know Chris was almost killed?’
‘Almost? Oh that means he’s alive! Thank god! Where is he?’
‘He was hospitalized just in time. He’s been discharged now. I don’t know where everyone is but I am sure they must be here somewhere. We tried to look for you everywhere but your phone was switched off. Jai, Megha, we were all so worried. But what is all this about?’ Ruhi asked pointing at the crowd.
‘Krishna’s behind it . . . it’s scary . . .’
He turned around to see Krishna watching them from a distance. Raghu realized that any revelation at this point of time could prove lethal. He turned to face Ruhi and said softly, ‘Just remember, I love you and I truly don’t deserve you. I can never gain the same respect in your eyes again.’
‘Don’t say that. I sent you a message . . .’
‘It is the truth. I am a coward. If only you knew why . . .’
Just then he heard Krishna call out his name. ‘I have to go now, but I’ll be back,’ Raghu said, and walked back towards Krishna who handed over the mic to him.
Raghu glanced at him once and he gave him a nod to proceed with the whole thing as planned. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
What if I don’t say what Krishna has asked me to and reveal the truth here? Will anyone believe me? And even if they do end up believing me, will they stand by me? What if Krishna does what he had threatened to do? No! I can’t risk her life just because I want to prove something. I just can’t. Raghu, do what he says, you have no option. You never had. What will Jai think? And Chris? No, Raghu! Krishna can do anything! Ruhi, I am sorry but I just can’t let you suffer . . . I hope you find out one day that what I’m about to do is only and only for you.
Krishna nudged him. Raghu took a long look at the crowd and began:
‘Today, I am not going to give any speech; instead I’m going to share my experience. Earlier I used to study a lot and I suffered less, but lately I have suffered a lot and studied less. What is my fault? That I am poor and that I come from a so-called backward class? Despite coming from a poor family, I wanted to study, so what was wrong in that? They want to stop people like me and you from moving forward in life. But we won’t be stopped. I was gagged, chained and almost killed. And were it not for Krishna, I would not be standing in front of you today. He truly lives by his words and I just can’t thank him enough . . .’
Raghu glanced at Ruhi who stood there looking uncomfortable. She couldn’t believe he was siding with Krishna still! Jai, Megha and Chris, standing at another spot, expected him to speak against Krishna and stand by the truth, but were surprised at his words.
‘Why is he lying so shamelessly? I am so annoyed right now! And so disappointed in him. I thought he would finally do what was right,’ Megha fumed.
‘I don’t know. I mean, he said he had some recording when I spoke to him last. It’s hard to believe he is suddenly all gaga over him. I am so pissed off,’ Chris replied in anger.
‘I think he is being forced,’ Jai added. He was carefully observing Raghu; he didn’t look like his normal self.
‘As in? What are you trying to say?’ Megha asked.
‘Notice how fidgety and uneasy he is? As if he’s voicing someone else’s words. It isn’t convincing at all,’ Jai said.
‘I don’t see it,’ Chris added.
‘Look at him carefully. The way he’s sweating and the way he keeps looking in Ruhi’s direction.’
‘Whatever it is, Raghu has lost all respect in my eyes today,’ Megha said.
‘So what do we do? We hardly have any time left, and now, after Raghu’s speech, Krishna will win the sympathy of the students, and maybe the elections too.’ Chris sighed.
/> ‘I won’t let that happen,’ Megha said firmly.
‘Yes, the lady Bhagat Singh,’ Jai joked, trying to diffuse the seriousness of the situation.
‘Was that a joke?’
‘Only if you take it as one,’ Jai replied.
‘Protests against social injustice heat up . . . MGU has become synonymous with protests these days . . . Krishna, the face of the poor and a presidential candidate saved Raghu . . . .’
‘Just a couple of days before the students elections, it’s a day of protest at MGU with faculty members joining in to show their support. The administration has filed a police complaint demanding justice for Raghu . . .’
MGU and its student union elections hogged the headlines in all social media sites the following day. After his speech, Raghu had locked himself in his room, blaming himself for all the chaos that had been created. He regretted the day he had chosen to attend a session of Kraanti—ever since, his life had taken a complete turn. In the process, not only had he lost his dearest friends; he had also lost the love of his life. And even though he knew Krishna’s ugly truth, he couldn’t reveal it to anyone.
Akhilesh, on the other hand, had almost given up on his chance of winning. Looking at the wave of students who had come out in support of Krishna and Raghu, he said to Ruhi, ‘This bastard has once again tricked the students.’ They were sitting in the college canteen, discussing Raghu’s speech and the response it got. ‘Do you think Raghu was actually speaking the truth?’
‘All I know is both Raghu and Chris were almost killed . . .’
‘Fuck, these ABCP people should be hanged. Bloody morons,’ Akhilesh spoke in anger.
‘Will you stop blaming ABCP and my friends and actually do something about the real culprits? How many times have I told you that they are not fucking involved in this but you just don’t want to believe me. I gave you all the insights into Krishna’s working and his strategies but you did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It’s easy to blame others Mr Akhilesh,’ an outraged Ruhi said, walking out of the canteen.
Though she was not quite on talking terms with her friends, she still cared.
Taking out her mobile, she called Raghu.
He was still in his room, refusing to speak to anyone, but when he saw Ruhi’s name blinking on his phone, he took the call immediately.
‘Raghu, why did you do such a thing? Chris told us everything and you still preferred to hide the truth? You don’t care about anyone’s feelings, right? Not even mine,’ she lashed out immediately.
‘Ruhi, it’s not my fault this time. I agree I have made many mistakes in the past and I blame myself for them. I am not defending myself, I don’t want to. But this time my hands are tied. Please just remember that I love you and will never let any trouble touch you,’ Raghu replied with a heavy voice.
‘But I don’t love you any more and I’ll never come back to you again,’ Ruhi replied, disconnecting the call.
Not knowing what else to do, Raghu grabbed hold of a notepad from his study table and began writing furiously. He addressed the letter to Jai, pouring his heart out on paper and telling him all that he couldn’t speak about. He put the letter in an envelope, sealed it and slipped it under the door to Jai’s room.
The next morning when Jai got up to retrieve the day’s newspaper, he noticed the envelope by the door. He picked it up and examined it. There was no name written on either side. Confused, he opened it and began reading.
Dear friend,
These days I have come to question the aim of religion. It feels like a fruitless pursuit, wherein we turn away from logic and reason. We constantly look outward for inspiration, when interestingly enough the answers lie within. I have been a witness to the adverse effect religion seems to have on human welfare and this is why I have come to question its presence in our lives. It’s merely an illusion where we blindly follow the ideologies our communities have laid down for us.
He called it Kraanti—a fight for our existence and a fight for acceptance. This, I feel, is a misinterpretation that will not only lead vulnerable minds like mine astray, but will also lead to destruction. What is even more worrying is that he is a puppet himself, dancing to the tunes of those who are powerful.
Jai didn’t take long to guess who had written the letter. Such lines could only have been penned by Raghu. But why didn’t he call or message? Why did he write a letter of all things, he wondered, and continued reading.
The movement revealed the hypocrisy of the ones in power. They only saw one thing when they looked at a student, a vote. I joined MGU with the hope of learning. Meeting new people was also a factor and initially I did make a few friends, but my loved ones were pushed away as I surrendered to the wrong ideologies.
Jai wanted to shout out loud that he had not lost anything. At last, Jai’s plan had worked. He wanted to tell Raghu that the hardship was worth it. Their friendship was worth it. He read further.
They say love makes you strong but he knew that it was also my weakness, and he used it against me.
Was he talking about Ruhi? Jai wondered. Did Krishna use Ruhi as a tool to get his work done through Raghu? Jai had been spot on on all his observations till now, and how couldn’t he be? After all, he had read the eyes of his best friend who meant everything to him. He got emotional and messaged Raghu asking to meet him in an hour’s time. Then he continued reading.
I remember you warning me—they are storytellers. The words they spin will change you, change your outlook. Maybe I was wrong all this time, to think I understood the emotions of life. Looking back, I feel sad, drowning in a void. I feel pathetic.
Your friend, forever.
Twenty
After messaging Raghu, Jai called Chris and told him about the letter. Together they waited for Raghu at the college café, the same old place they would frequent in the past. They had decided to tell Megha once they had had their own private chat. Chris was finally happy, although he still carried the baggage of failing to find evidence against Krishna.
‘Jai, are you still upset with me?’ Chris asked, sitting beside Jai.
‘Upset? Why?’
‘You know, because I couldn’t gather any proof against Krishna despite executing his tasks. We haven’t spoken properly ever since I got discharged from the hospital,’ Chris replied.
‘No hard feelings, bro. I have nothing against you. I was just shaken up by the whole thing . . . your accident, then Raghu going missing. But I am OK now.’ Jai smiled.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, of course. Rest assured.’
‘That lifts such a burden from my chest. Still, I am sorry,’ Chris apologized.
‘It’s fine, Chris. You gave it your best shot. I am just glad that Raghu’s back too.’
‘More importantly, he’s back hale and hearty.’
‘That’s right.’
‘So now that we are all back together, are you thinking seriously about Megha?’ Chris winked.
‘Oh god! You are after my life. Are you a marriage broker or something? You’ve been trying to hook me up with Megha from day one! I’ve started to think maybe you are interested in her.’
‘I don’t go for my friend’s girlfriend. That’s not my style.’
‘Shut up and finish your tea.’
‘Cheers,’ Chris replied, raising his glass.
After receiving Jai’s message, Raghu felt a little nervous to face him—it had been a long time since they had even met or interacted with each other properly. As he made his way towards the café, a million thoughts raced through his mind—How should I start, what do I ask, how do I react? He felt as if he was going to meet some strangers. But before he could reach the café, Krishna intercepted him.
‘Where are you going?’ Krishna asked.
‘Have you been following me? Anyway, this is none of your concern,’ Raghu answered bluntly.
‘Of course it is.’
‘I have done exactly what you told me to and you have benefited immensely f
rom it. So now you cannot control me and stop me from meeting my friends. I don’t owe you anything now, so get out of my way.’
‘Sure. But watch what you say. Tomorrow is election day and I don’t want you screwing up anything for me,’ Krishna warned.
Raghu knew nothing could be done now—the election results were all but decided and would for certain go in Krishna’s favour. He had nothing left to gain, except his friends. He made his way to the café and saw Jai and Chris sitting at a corner table. A flood of emotions engulfed them as they stood facing each other and even in that busy hour, they could feel the turbulence in each other’s hearts.
Raghu quietly went and took a seat at their table. Nobody spoke for a few minutes. Then, Raghu broke down into tears. ‘I am sorry,’ he muttered, hiding his face in shame. Looking at him, Jai couldn’t control himself and started weeping like a child. Chris, always at his humorous best and more than happy at the reunion, took a quick selfie of the three of them and uploaded it on Snapchat. ‘Bromance at its best,’ he captioned it.
‘We missed you. More than anything, I missed pulling your leg,’ Jai said with a twinkle in his eye.
‘I missed you too.’ Raghu smiled, wiping the tears off his face.
‘But are these fake tears or real ones?’ Jai smirked.
‘You won’t change.’
‘Dude, we’ve already seen the side effects of change. So no more change, please,’ Chris joined in.
‘I should have listened to you sooner. But Krishna just brainwashed me completely. I have realized that all religions coincide with truth and if you are true then no one can inject false beliefs. I got carried away. I betrayed you, Ruhi, Megha and I know a sorry won’t set anything right, but it’s good enough to start with,’ Raghu pleaded.
‘But we were certain you would ultimately learn the truth and come back. We are well acquainted with your DNA.’ Jai smiled.
‘But why and how did you get involved with them?’ Raghu asked Chris. ‘That one’s still a mystery. I thought you were always firm on your thoughts and beliefs. Also you never believed in caste or religion.’
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