by Naitik Jain
“Thank you Ansh. I really needed that. Good night.”
“Take care of yourself, and don’t you cry again. Sleep well!”
“You too sleep well please.”
We left the next morning in the police jeep, which dropped us to the station. We boarded the train and left for Kolkata. It was just about the court case now, and that was something I could handle without much difficulty. The bad part was now over.
CHAPTER 27
The train started off for Howrah. This was going to be the last train journey I was to take for this, and I couldn’t have been more relieved. We were skipping and jumping as we got to our berths just in time to leave. We had been given tickets for the A.C. Three tier coach, which was a little surprising. We were more than happy there, and all of us lay down exhausted now. None of us had slept well that night, and all of us really wanted to just rest for a while. The three of us took the upper berth and slept like logs.
I woke up a few hours later, and went out to wash my face. I saw Aliya standing at the door, staring at the fields passing us. This was my best chance to tell her how I felt about her. In the chaos at Vizag, I didn’t get the opportunity to say a word to her about this. I really needed to let her know how much I loved her, and just how much she meant to me.
I stood behind her at the door, and took her hand in mine.
“Aliya, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
She looked into my eyes, and probably realised what was going on, but she wanted this to happen the regular way. “Yes Ansh, go ahead,” she said, smiling at me innocently.
“I don’t know how to say this to you, though.”
“Ansh, please tell me what it is.”
“I’m really scared to tell you.”
“This is not a drama that you’re acting in. You don’t need to worry, there’s no tension at all. Keep yourself calm, and tell me.”
“Aliya, ever since I met you, more than a decade ago, I haven’t been able to forget you. Every time I see your face, it reminds me of happiness, joy, and everything beautiful in the world. Your smile seems to be more enchanting that the angels, and your laughter more melodious than the birds. You’ve been the light to my darkness, the soul to my body, the heart to my head, the life I’ve always wanted. When I’m with you, for however little time it may be, I am happy. Every time I look into your eyes, I see a passion I’ve seen in no one else. I want to be with you, forever and beyond. I love you, Aliya”
Tears came into my eyes as I said these words to her. Aliya put her arms around me and whispered in my ear. “I’ve loved you since the day I saw you. Every day that I’ve been through, every trouble that I’ve seen, I’ve been able to get through because I thought of you. You’ve been the light that brought me out of the darkness, the angel God sent to save me. You’re the best person I have ever seen, the most kind hearted and gentle of people. I will always love you more than you love me. I love you too, Ansh.”
We stayed in each other’s embrace for what seemed like a blissful eternity. She slowly moved back, and pressed her nose against mine. I smiled and stared at her eyes as she closed them in a gentle, slow motion. I closed my eyes too, as I moved in and let my lips brush against hers. She responded with a passionate kiss, wrapping her lips around my lower lip, slowly tugging at it. I kissed her back harder, wrapping her up in my arms, as I lifted her off the ground, closing the door of the train. Her hair trickled down on me, covering our faces as we kissed each other deeply.
We went back to our berths holding hands. Meira had woken up by then, and looked at us with a grin. “So, Aliya, he finally got the courage to tell you, huh?”
I looked at Meira, and then looked at Aliya in confusion.
“You really thought we didn’t know?” Meira asked, “Aliya told me this the day you dropped us off at Vizag. It was clearly evident that you liked her, and both of us agreed that you’d take your own sweet time to realise this.”
“So, you knew?”
“Of course I knew this Ansh! I’m surprised you told me you liked me so quickly. I’m so happy you did!”
I looked at the two girls surprised as they laughed and joked about me. It was a much needed break from all the tension that was looming over our heads. All three of us needed something good to happen, and this was the best thing that could have happened.
We had the train food for lunch, and bought a few packets of chips and biscuits with it, since I hated the food they served in the trains. Meira and Aliya finished their lunch comfortably, as I struggled with it, and eventually gave up and gobbled up the biscuits.
“You really are a spoilt little kid, aren’t you?”
“Oh, come on! Just because I don’t like train food, it doesn’t mean I become a spoilt kid. I’ve done a lot of things in the last few months to prove that I am not!”
“Well, that is true. Anyway, do you have anything interesting to do? We still have some time on the train.”
We spent the rest of the time playing cards and chatting, and Howrah arrived in no time.
Meira’s parents were waiting for her at the station. They jumped with happiness on seeing her, tears flowing down their eyes. They hugged their daughter tight, and then hugged me.
“Thank you so much for bringing my daughter home! I am indebted to you for life! Ask me anything, and I’ll do it for you.”
“Well, there is one thing you can do for me.”
“What is it? Tell me and it will be done.”
“Educate your daughter well. She has the potential to reach great heights, if given a good education. Make her study, and she will never let you down. That’s my promise to you.”
“I assure you that my daughter will get the best education that I can get her. I will make sure she becomes a big person like you.”
“I am nobody yet, but thank you so much for the compliment. I hope you do well in the future!”
“Thank you once again. I hope you succeed in your life!”
They left for home, and I turned to Aliya, “Shall we?”
Aliya nodded, and we took a cab home.
I rang the doorbell, feeling very nervous. My mom opened the door, and looked at Aliya. “Who is she, Ansh?”
“You need to sit down for this, mom. Is dad home?”
Mom called dad in, and the four of us sat on the dining table as I described everything to my parents over dinner and more. I told them about everything, from where it all started, to where it was now. By the time I was done, it was nearly midnight.
“So she is the daughter of our former neighbour?”
“Yes.”
“And when he took her away, he did that to her?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really sorry for whatever happened to you, little girl,” my mom said, turning to Aliya, “You will stay with us from now. My daughter is working now, so her room stays empty. You can move in there. I’ll get you some private tutors, so that you can pick up some basic knowledge of things, and help yourself in the future.”
I first thought of telling my mom about us, and then decided against it. “Thank you so much mom, for letting her stay here.”
Aliya had tears of joy in her eyes. She had probably never dreamed that she would get a home so soon. To be honest, neither had I. It was one of the proudest moments in my life to see my parents help someone this way, and I could never forget that.
“About the legal issues with the death,” my dad began, “you don’t need to worry. I know some people here who will handle all of this. If what you’re telling me about the officer is true, then it shouldn’t be much of a hassle to handle all of this.”
“Thank you so much dad.”
“Both of you go to sleep now. You must be very tired. Get a good night’s rest.”
Both of us went back to our rooms, and slept like logs.
The next few days were quite hectic, but much better thanks to my father. The case wasn’t pursued very strongly, thanks to Gujjar’s image as a known thug. H
is subordinates were very happy staying away from the limelight, and each of them took over whatever business he was managing, or so my friend told me. The case closed in a few weeks, and no charges were pressed upon us, as it was proved that Meira acted in self defence.
Meira got a scholarship in FIITJEE, which had a scheme for the children of poor people who couldn’t afford their fees. She started to study hard, and soon became one of the brighter students in her class. Aliya studied from tutors at home, and began working soon after, starting on small jobs and slowly moving up the ranks. I shifted my focus back on academic activities, and managed to improve my grade well enough.
Everything ended in the best possible manner, and every bit of pain, every little effort that I put in had paid off. I was happy now, and so was everyone else. I took on Gujjar, and I won.
EPILOGUE
I sat up gently as I thought about all of this. My life certainly did have an adventure to it, and it was an adventure I would never forget. The smile on my face didn’t seem to go away, as I thought about every little thing that happened then.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned around to see my wife smiling at me. “Been here for a while, have you?”
“Didn’t feel like sleeping. I was thinking about the time we spent twelve years back. All the fights, the running, the drama, the proposal...”
“The happiness and the laughter that we all went through back then. I can never forget those days, Ansh. You’re the reason why I am who I am today. I found love, happiness, freedom, independence, everything because you came into my life. You’re the best thing that could happen to me.”
“And you are the best thing that could ever happen to me!”
“Well, let’s not get so sentimental now! We have a guest coming over for dinner tonight, remember?”
“Of course, Meira is coming!”
Aliya left to prepare dinner, and I joined her soon afterwards to help her with it. Just as we were done, a car pulled up, and the doorbell rang. I went to the door and hugged the person standing there.
“It’s so great to finally see you after so many months Meira!”
“You know I have a changed name now, don’t you?” She said, grinning back at me.
“Yes, Miss Tanisha Roy, IITian, stud coder, Google professional. Should I recite your resume too?”
“Shut up, you,” she said, punching me lightly on the arm. “Shall we go to dinner now?”
“Sure, let’s go. We’ve made your favourite dishes.”
“You and cook? I’m sure Aliya did all the hard work!”
“I’ve learnt over time, okay? Stop making fun of me like that!”
“Oh, he’s helped a lot! He helped me chop a few vegetables,” Aliya joked.
And we burst out laughing. In this laughter, jokes, and happiness, nobody could have ever thought of what we had been through together. Yet, that incredible journey had formed a bond that was going to last forever.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A first book is always special to an author, but the support and help of several other people made this book even more special to me.
I’d like to thank my parents, since without their constant support I wouldn’t have even dreamed of taking up this initiative, let alone completing it.
My sister, Pragya, who gave several valuable inputs in giving the book its current form, especially while rounding up the plot.
Chandra Has Dondapati, whose constant joking and kidding about various things led me to serious parts in the plot.
Ayushi Mrigen, who would pour her suggestions in from time to time, and would take out the effort to read every chapter as it was completed.
Meghana GL, who gave me all the information I needed about Vizag for the book, and corrected my mistakes about the city.
Anurag Kar, who, in spite of all odds being stacked against him, managed to give me advice that was most helpful in editing several parts, and giving the book the shape it has now.
Sparshika Chhaperia, for never giving me a straight answer to any query I came to her with, and thus making me think a lot more about how I should write the book.
A special thanks goes to my teachers, Ms. Mini Joseph and Mr. Melvin Dsouza, for pouring in their knowledge and experience in making this book much better.
Above all, I’d like to thank the girl I met on the train journey to Santragachi one random evening, for sharing her story with me. It was her life that drove me to write about so many more lives.