Chapter-12
Rashi sat back on her chair and broke down.She had not expected it to end like this.
It doesn't mean anything for him.Maybe,it never did.I was such a fool .',she thought and cried.
Rashi,Rashi,what happened?Why are you crying?',asked Ronnie.He was extremely worried.
No,bro.It's nothing.Nothing at all.',said Rashi as she wiped her tears.
Rashu,I know that there is something wrong with you.I am your twin brother.We were with each other ever since we were born.We have always shared everything.Our birthdays,our achievements,our failures,literally everything.You are my first and closest friend and vice versa.Even then if you think that you can hide anything from me,then you are utterly mistaken.',said Ronnie.Rashi hugged him and told him everything.
Man,how could one possibly think?You and Ari?But still,it's possible.He is an awesome guy.I know it.Maybe he likes you too.You guys will make a terrific couple.',said Ronnie.
Bro?? Are you out of your mind???',asked Rashi.
No,I am not.Look Rashi,I am a lawyer and I analyse a particular case before reaching to any conclusion.I study the case from each and every aspect.But did you guys ever do it?Such things have to be managed very properly and with a cool and calm mind.You and Ari did not even talk properly about it before coming to a conclusion.',said Ronnie.
Just leave it,bro.Let's board the flight and get out of here as soon as possible.',said Rashi.
But Rashi...',began Ronnie.
Bro,let's catch the damn flight and get out of this place!!!',said Rashi cutting him off in the middle.Ronnie did not say anything after that.Whenever he tried to speak anything about Ari,Rashi avoided the topic.When the flight landed in Sydney,Ronnie began to say something.
Rashi,all I want to say is..',began Ronnie.
Bro,I told you that I don't want to talk about him anymore.',said Rashi.
I know,meri maa,I know.All I am trying to say is that you have to be careful in front of our blessed Mom.Unki nazron se kuch nahin chupta.',said Ronnie.
Don't worry,Bro.I will manage somehow.',said Rashi.
Okay,now definitely,Mom and Dad would have come to receive us.Behave normally.',said Ronnie.
As you wish,bro.',said Rashi.
They came out of the airport and saw their parents smiling at them.Both of them were enveloped in deep hugs by their parents.As they drove back to the house,Ronnie chatted a lot whereas Rashi remained silent.She tried to smile but it seemed as if her lips were refusing to smile.She looked out and saw the city.She was back home.She was back at Sydney.But the very city in which she had been born and brought up now seemed strangely unfamiliar to her.Her heart felt extremely heavy.
What's wrong with me?I should be happy to be back here.Then why is this happening?Ari...',she thought.
She did not feel better even after reaching home.She felt like a stranger in her own house.It was bizarre.
Why did you do this,Ari??It is only because of you that I am not myself anymore.Why did you do this?I am back in Sydney.Back at my home.Yet,why am I thinking about you and you only?It's nothing but a mere infatuation and I will get over it.I will not let you influence me,Mr Arihant Saxena.I simply won't let you.I will not think so much about a person whom I may never meet again.Whom I will not meet again.',she thought.But even as she thought this,she felt her heart sinking once again into the deep ocean of sadness.
New Delhi,India
He was roaming to and fro around the Qutub Minar.Of all the places in Delhi,he had chosen this place.He did not know why.But he was here.He looked around himself and found the usual scene.Tour guides doing their job and tourists happily enjoying.His mind drifted back to that fateful moment when he had splashed Coke on her face.When they had met for the first time.He and Rashi.Rashi and he.His face lit up in a smile as he remembered her getting all flared up.Then each and every moment replayed itself.Their poolside meeting.Their busride.The time spent in Agra.It played on and on like a movie.And the problem was that even though this movie had a forward and rewind button,it could not be paused.Neither could it be stopped.
What is happening to me?This has never happened before.',he thought.
A feeling of emptiness was taking over him.He wanted her desperately.Wanted?No! He needed her.He had been a fool.A bloody fool!!! He had termed his feelings for her as a mere attachment .An attachment?Yes.It was an attachment.But it was not mere.It was not ordinary.His head spinned.
What is wrong with me?I feel as if I am dissolving into nothing in her absence.Damn it!!! Why are you doing this,Rashi?Why???? We barely know each other.You and I.We were perfect strangers.Then,why does my soul feel tormented?Yes,my soul.Not only my heart but my soul too.',he mentally screamed as if he expected her to hear it.
He knew that his feelings for her were not as simple as he had thought it to be.He was in an emotional turmoil.He could not be in denial anymore.He knew that if he continued with this pretence then he would be fooling himself even more.
Yes,Rashi Agarwal.I do love you.',he thought firmly.Then,surprisingly,his heart felt much lighter.He had accepted his feelings for her.But the strangest part was that these feelings,though extremely powerful,were not new.He had this weird feeling that it was not the first time that he had fallen in love with Rashi.Yes,fallen in love and that too with Rashi.
Okay,too many strange thoughts in a single day is not a good idea.I will think about this sometime later.When I am with Rashi.Both of us can have a laugh over it.And coming to Rashi,I have to meet her.',thought Arihant.
He looked up at the Qutub Minar once again.This time,he was looking at it from a different perspective.Earlier,the Qutub Minar fascinated him because it stood as a sole witness to the history of Delhi.But now,it was much more than that.The Qutub Minar had witnessed the beginning of his love story too.Yes,his love story.Though that sounded really strange but it was true.He had fallen in love.Fallen in love with her.
If only there was some historian nearby.This moment would have been registered in history.Arihant Saxena has fallen in love.',he thought to himself with a chuckle.Then,a voice inside his mind shouted at him.It was Rashi's voice.
Really,Arihant Saxena?You consider yourself that important?Moron!!!',she said.He found himself smiling again.
Then,he thought about his love story.He remembered when he and Rashi were discussing the love stories at the Taj Mahal.Napoleon-Josephine,Shah Jahan-Mumtaz,Antony-Cleopatra,Prithviraj-Sanyogita and Razia-Altunia.Razia and Altunia were special and closer to his heart.Maybe,it was because of the fact that unlike the other love stories,their story was different.There were no folk tales about them.Neither was there any monument that stood as a symbol of their love.But they too had left their mark on the pages of history.He looked at the Qutub Minar again and then a thought occurred to him.
This monument must have witnessed their story too.',he thought with amazement.
Australia,here I come.',he thought and smiled confidently.He closed his eyes and visualized her smile which filled him with strength and hope.
Sydney,Australia
So,children.Now that you are back,your mother and I want to share a piece of good news with you.',said Alok.
What are you saying,Dad? ?? God,I must be dreaming!!!! I don't believe it!!! I am going to be a bro once again.And Rashi,you are going to be a sis.I still don't believe it!! I am so happy today.It's a great news.Main bada bhai banne waala hoon.Yippee!!!',exclaimed Ronnie.
What are you saying,son??It's nothing like that!!!',said Alok. Ronnie sat down looking very disappointed.
So,where was I?Oh yes!! Rashi,this is a good news for you in particular.You already know Rajesh uncle and Uma aunty,don't you?Very nice people,indeed.They have a son.Yash is his name.We want you to meet him.',said Alok.
Meet him?Meet him as in???',asked Rashi raising an eyebrow.Alok simply smiled.Trisha shook her head.
No,dad! No!! I am not going to get married.And that's final.',said Rashi.
No one is asking you to get married rightaway.I am just asking you to meet him once.Okay,you both can meet for as long as you wish to before you decide anything.Koi zabardasti nahin hai.',said Alok.
Rashi,I am telling you.If you don't wish to get married to him,say no' clearly and simply.Just meet him once or else your father will not let anyone live in peace.After that,it's upto you.',said Trisha shaking her head.
Your mother can think whatever she wishes to,dear.But I know that you will like Yash.He is perfect.',said Alok confidently.
Rashi looked at Ronnie.Ronnie sat expressionless.She signalled him to get up and leave.They left the room quietly and their parents continued their discussion over Yash.
Trisha,you don't understand!!',said Alok
I do understand.You don't!!',said Trisha.
Rashi and Ronnie were in Rashi's room.Rashi was very disturbed.She had not even stopped thinking about Ari when Dad had surprised' her by telling about Yash.
Woah!! I expected a little sibling.Par milne waale hai Jeejaji.',said Ronnie.
Shut up,bro!!',said Rashi getting irritated.
You know what,this reminds me of DDLJ.Just imagine,Ari Raj bankar yahaan tak aajaye.But only difference is that Dad is not Amrish Puri.Ari unhe pata sakta hai.And you will not get sarson ke khet over here.',said Ronnie.Rashi threw a pillow at him
Bro,it's not FUNNY!!!',said Rashi.
Of course,it is funny.Funny that kuch hi din pehle you had Ari who was terrific and now you will get seedha,saadha,aagyakaari,sanskaari Yash.',said Ronnie.
Bro,don't pull my leg!!!',said Rashi.
You know that Dad is throwing a grand party.There he is going to introduce you to your dulhe raja.Well,there is a good news for me too.Ira aunty is not coming two weeks later but in a few days so Falguni is going to be here soon.',said Ronnie in a dreamy voice.
Yash is not my dulhe raja,bro!!!!',said Rashi angrily.
Then who is it?Ari?',asked Ronnie with a laugh.
Ari?Who is Ari?',asked a voice.They were startled.It was their Mom.
Ari?Who is this Ari?Mom,I did not mean to say Ari.It was a slip of tongue.',said Ronnie.
Then,what did you mean,my boy?',asked Trisha.
I meant,I meant Arrey.Arrey Arrey mein toh gaya re,dil bhi gaya re.Dekha jo tujhe yaar,dil mein baji guitar.Arrey arrey mein toh gaya re,dil bhi gaya re.',sang Ronnie looking anxiously at Rashi.
Son,you should have continued your holiday for some more time.Kaam ka stress abhi tak utra nahin hai.I am afraid that it's affecting your brain too.And Rashi,you don't have to take any stress.Even if you have returned,you will not go to office immediately.You will hang out with your friends and spend some time with your family.I think that we should go for shopping.',said Trisha.
Okay,Mom!!',said Rashi smiling weakly.
Rashi,is everything alright?Do you wish tell me anything?',asked Trisha.
No,Mom!! I am fine but a bit tired.',said Rashi.
Are you sure?',asked Trisha looking concerned.
Of course,Mom.I am absolutely fine.',said Rashi.
If you are saying,then I will believe it.But Rashi,never hesitate before me.You can tell me anything.',said Trisha.Rashi nodded.Trisha went out of the room.Ronnie went out and checked if she was gone and then closed the door.
Rashu,you should have told Mom.',said Ronnie.
I don't know bro.I wanted to tell her.Trust me,bro.I really wanted to.I have never hidden anything from her.But this matter is so confusing in itself that I feel lost.I know that only Mom can help me.But still,I will wait for a while.If Ari's thoughts still continue to persist,then I will definitely tell Mom about it.',said Rashi.Ronnie hugged her.
Don't worry,Rashu.Everything will be fine.',said Ronnie.Rashi closed her eyes.She wanted to see her green eyes.She saw them but now they had a face to.His face.His face was imprinted in her mind.It filled her with ecstacy and grief at the same time.But what did not change was the attraction.She was attracted to him even more now.She did not know why.
The next day,Arihant Saxena walked out of the airport with a determined look.He knew what he was here for.But before that,he needed to take care of a few things.
Atharva Sood was sitting in the sofa and sipping his coffee.He was working on a certain assignment.Then,the phone rang.He picked it up.It was the receptionist.
Sir,there is an intruder in the building.',said the receptionist.
What the hell!!! Are you trying to tell me that someone actually breached the security system of the Phoenix Group Of Industries and entered the office???Who is that person?',asked Atharva.
The person is standing right behind you.',said a voice.Atharva dropped the phone and turned back.There was a man standing in front of him.His face was covered by a hood.The man was pointing a gun at Atharva.
Hmmm,looks like someone is shocked.',said the hooded man.His voice was as cold as ice.
Shocked?Yes.Scared?No.',said Atharva coolly.
Strange person you are.',remarked the hooded man.
I am not the only one.There are many more like me.You are one of them.',said Atharva.
Really?I must say that you have guts.I have pointed a gun at you and you are not scared at all.',said the hooded man.
Even I can point a gun at you right now.Why don't you show your face?Come on,I am sure that you are not that bad looking.',said Atharva.The man removed his hood.At the same time,the guards entered the cabin.Seeing the man,all the guards lowered their guns except one.
Who the hell are you?',asked Atharva.The man did not reply.He simply smiled as he looked at Atharva with his emerald green eyes.
Didn't you hear what Sir just said now?Who the hell are you?And why have you guys lowered your guns?',shouted the guard who was pointing his gun at the man.The man smirked.Atharva turned towards the guard with a smile.
I was asking it to you.Who the hell are you?',asked Atharva again.The guard was confused.
Who the hell are you to point a gun at the Chairman of the Phoenix Group Of Industries in his very own office?',asked Atharva.The guard was dumbfounded.He looked at the green-eyed man again.The guard's face went pale with fear.
Tthhee Chairrrmaan????? I am sorry,sir.I am extremely sorry.I am new to this place sir.Please sir,please give me one chance.',stammered the guard.
The Chairman looked at Atharva once again and this time they both smirked.
I don't blame you.To err is human,to forgive is divine.Mistakes can happen.But what can I do?I am nowhere near the divine.I am a simple,human being.So,my friend,you are fired.',said the Chairman calmly.
The guard cried and pleaded while the others took him out.After they were gone,the Chairman and Atharva faced each other once again.The Chairman did not have his gun in his hand anymore.Both of them were smiling at each other.
It's been a long time,Atharva Sood.',said the Chairman.
It has certainly been a long time,Arihant Saxena.',said Atharva.
Then,finally the inseparable friends,the partners in crime,the soul brothers hugged each other.
Author's note:So,guys.Here is the update.I hope you will enjoy it.I sincerely apologise for the spelling mistakes and the grammatical errors.
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