Chapter 1

Hi friends !!!!!!

 

Ok guys this is my first Os . I just wrote it randomly actually dolly pushed me again ........... After starting my first FF - With you forever , i decided to write this os . So here i am with the story . Its a bit touchy one ....... Pls do read guys and comment !

 

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" Time passes ,

Even when it seems impossible ,

Even when each tick of seconds hand aches like

the pulse of blood behind a bruise .

It passes unevenly ,

instrange lurches & dragging lulls ,

But passes it does ...... "

 

 

 

I was sitting lonely on their bed with my head in my hands & tears in my eyes . My inner conscience was shouting at me " Stop Samrat !!!! Stop it !!! You cant go into pieces like this . Get a hold on yourself for chashmish's sake , for aunty's sake . " .But for once in last seven days I didn't listen to it . I don't want to get a hold on myself tonight . I was completely filled with the tears that had gathered inside me while I was wiping away tears of all others . I needed to pour them out to breathe . It felt like I was drowning in my own tears . Just 7 days back everything was just perfect . How all that could have happened ? How the hell can my world turn upside down in just a single night that too in front of my eyes ? I wanted to shout these questions at god but I failed . I realised that I had lost them & that too for forever …………

 

Time changes quickly & I am an eyewitness to it . Just half an hour ago I was hrere with chashmish but for different reasons . I was calminh her down , consoling her  & even persuading her to go back home but she insisted on staying here with me & shilpa aunty . Just few minutes back I was the one telling chashmish that we should get a hold on ourselves & now here I was , shedding my own tears . Chashmish was sleeping in other room with shilpa aunty .

 

I looked up at the room with tear filled eyes & my heart cringed and throbbed in my chest on seeing the perfectly decorated room . The room that was meant to contain happy memories if their life now contained the blankness of their absence . It didn't look like the room of our Mayank – Nupur but ironically it was & even more devastatingly they couldn't reach their room ever to color it with their memories . I watched every corner of the room when I remembered the phone call between me & bauji 15 days back , which had changed everything …………………………

 

 

FLASHBACK 

 

B : - " Kaise ho Samrat beta ? "

S :- " Namaste bauji . Main theek hun . Aap kaise hain ? "

B :- " Main bilkul theek hun . Achha samrat tumhein aur tumahre sab doston ko kal shaam tak morena pahunchana hai . Hum har sal apne purane gahr mai apni

Kul Devi ki puja karwate hain aur ghar ka har sadasya puja main aata hai . Ab tum sab bachhe mere parivaar ka hissa ho , isliye Gunjan ke sath tum sab ko bhi aana hai . "

S :- " Zarur bauji ! "

And then I don't know why but I blurted out the next line without thinking

S :- " Bauji , kya apke is parivaar main Mayank aur Nuapur bhi shaamil hain ? "

 

B ( in cold voice ) :- " Nupur ka us ghar par pura haq hai aur main eek hadd tak use maaf bhi kar diya hai . Vo aana chahe to aa sakti hai aur jahaan tak Mayank ki baat hai , us se na tomera koi rishta tha na hoga . Agar vo yahaan aat ahi ato vo tumhara dost bankr aega mera daamad bankr nahi . "

 

And then he disconnected the line without even listening to me . I was still not able to figure out that if Nupur can be forgiven then why not Mayank ? But this time I gad pledged that by hook or crook I will remove all the differences between Mayank & bauji . I knew I had to lie " a little " to take Mayank & Nupur to morena . So I told our entire gang when we gathered at Mayank & Nupur's house that we all are going to morena tomorrow and then I saw what I needed , a little hope & happiness in Mayank & nupur's eyes , hope & happiness of being accepted back …………………

 

 

That day I was eager to take them both with us but today I felt like it would have been much better if they hadn't been in morena that night .. I moved away from the bed towards the shelf where mayank's books were kept neatly . Beneath the shelf was a study table . I just absently traced the shape of table when a folder fell on the ground distracting me . I immediately bent downwards to pick up the folder . Picking it up I kept it back on its place . Just then its cover caught my attention . It was mayank's certificates & job application letter . I touched the folder again & remembered the night when Mayank had called happily to tell about his first job interview call & next day we were to leave for morena ………….

 

FLASHBACK

 

S :- " Hold on Mayank !!!! Don't be so excited !!!!! aakhir baat kya hai jo tum aur Nupur dono uchhal rahe ho btane ke liye ???? "

M :- " Samrat dude !!!! Guess what !!!! Aaj ghar pe kya aaya ??? "

S :- " Kya ?? Kahiin fir se koi baby to nahi chhod gaya ???? "

M :- " Shut up Samrat !!! Ok listen !!! Aaj mujhe mera first interview call aaya aur parso interview hai ! "

S :- " What ? Really ? Is it true ? I don't believe this !!!! Are you serious ???? Mayank its great yaar !!!! "

And I kept on babbling excitedly when I heard him speaking to Nupur

M :- " Ye mujhe excitement kam karne ko keh rha tha aut khud bandron ki tarah uchhal rahaa hai . "

S :- " Kya ? Kya kaha ? "

M :- " vo ……… vo ….. kuch bhi to nahi …. "

S :-" That's great yaar !!!! Hold on !!! Interview kab hai ?"

M :- " Parso …… kyun ??? "

S :- " Holy crow Mayank !!!! If you remember hum sab log kal subah morena ke liye nikal rahe hain !!!! "

All went silent for once .

M :- " Oh ! I didn't realise that . "

S :- " Don't tell me ke tum nahi aa rahe ho !!! "

M :- " Actually vo main …………………… IDEA !!!!! "

S ;-" Kya ???? "

M :- " Simple ! Tum log kal niklo aur main interview ke baad main tum logon ko join kar lunga . Aur waise bhi puja to 4 din baad hai tab tak to main aa jaunga . "

S :- " Great idea dude ! Ok so tum ab lago tayaari pe . Main tumse kal milta hun . "

M :- " Ok bye ! "

 

 

A lone tear trickled down my cheeks and fell on the folder. My bones started to turn spongy & I couldn't stand straight . I held the sides of table for support & sat down on the chair . I placed my head on the table & closed my eyes . As I closed my eyes I remembered the day when we had left for morena …………………….

 

FLASHBACK   

 

Nupur was uncomfortable in  going without Mayank . Actually she was worrying about Mayank a lot & he was reassuring her a lot !

 

M :- "Nupur bas 2-3 din ki hi to baat hai fir main tumhare paas hi to aaunga na . Ok now pls smile . Tum janti ho ke tum sirf hasti hui achhi lagti ho . "

Nupur smiled a bit & said , " Theek hai ! Mayank pls apna khayaal rakhna ………"

S :- " Nupur !!!! Tum Mayank ko ghr pe akela chhod ke jaa rahi ho koi daakuon ke beech nahi !!!! Pls control !!! Tumne yahi line subah se daswi baar kahi hai "

 

She gave me angry glares & I automatically hid behind Mayank . I tell you Mayank is the best shield when you want to hide from Nupur .

N :- " Samrat tum ……….. "

M :- " Aaabbb Nupur !!! tum log time se niklo nahi to late ho jaoge . "

She looked at him & nodded . I got into the car before she could bang me anywhere . Everyone was there inside the car ( everyone includes everyone from benji to adhiraj ) . I sneaked upon Mayank – Nupur from the rearview mirror . Mayank had kissed her goodbye & she had turned scarlet red . I smiled . They were the cutest .

 

N :- " OK Mayank bye !! Aur suno ……… "

M :- " Haan haan sab yaad hai . Khaana theek se khaunga , roz phone karunga , interview ki baat sabse pehle tumhein btaunga aur apna khayaal rakhunga . Bas ! "

They both laughed & then she hugged him & sat into the car . We all said goodbye to him & left …………………

 

 

I flashed my eyes open as I saw their smiling faces moving in front of my eyes . I got up &  moved away from the table & stood like an idiot in middle of the room particularly looking at nothing remembering the days spent in morena …………

 

 

We had reached morena in the evening . Bauji was happy to see all of us sans Mayank . Bui wanted Mayank to be there but she was disappointeda little on seeing me in his place but said nothing . Everyone there was asking about Mayank's absence & we all recited the same answer for god knows how many times in one day " He will be here in 2-3 days as he is stuck up in work " . Nupur came to knew that I had told a lie about bauji inviting Mayank . She was really hurt & upset but when I told the reason behind my lie she agreed to help me to wedge out the differences between Mayank & bauji . Mayank would call us daily ( Hello !! it was just three days !!! ) .

 

On the day of his interview we all were impatient for his call . Bui was actually praying for him . Can you believe it ?She had completely accepted Mayank as her son-in-law or son to be precise after hearing the whole Adhiraj – Suhani – Mayank – Nupur trapezium love story . But bauji had not forgiven him completely god knows why ?

Anyways it was noon & we all were still waiting for his stupid call & were on the verge of killing either him or ourselves . Just then nupur's phone rang & we all jumped on the poor phone & were snatching it like crazies to talk to him . Nupur snatched the phone & put it on loudspeaker . She was still gasping for breath from the whole snatching episode when she said , " Hello Mayank ! " . And then we all shouted !

" Kaisi rahi interview ??? Phone kyun nahi kiya tha abhi tak ??? "

 

M :- " Ek minute ………. Vo ……….. Meri baat to su ………… HOLD ON GUYS !!! "

And we all shut up at once .

M :- " Don't t6ell me ke tum log phone uthane ko lekar lad rahe the !!!!! "

All ( unison ) :- " Uuuuuuuuuggggghhhhh Mayank !!!!!!! Ye hamare swaal ka jawab nahi hai ! "  Man we literally shouted at him !

 

M :- " Ok sorry sorry baba . Mera interview ………… "

All :- " Kya ???? "

M :- " Vo mera interview na ……………… "

S :- " Mayank seedhe seedhe btao nahi to phone main ghus ke marunga !!!!! "

M ( still laughing ) :- " Interview bahut achha gya . Most probably I am in baaki kal tak pta chal jaega "

All :- " Yay !!!! Congo yaar !!!!! "

 

 

I remembered that gangfull moment & smiled to myself between tears . That craziness was lost somewhere now . I turned to look towards other wall . It had a shelf which was stacked with movie magazines & nupur's favourite movie DVDs . Mayank had arranged everything perfectly fine . I looked around various photographs of theirs either from college days or just random pics . A sharp jab of pain hit across my chest when I saw our huge gang poster on the wall in front of the bed above the flatscreen TV . I couldn't look at it for more than few seconds & I turned swiftly to another wall only to be met with more jolts of pain . Above the bed frame was a huge poster of wedding photograph of Mayank – Nupur . She looked like " Princess with her Prince Charming " . Above the poster was a small lamp which flashed a dim light on the poster making it all the more beautiful .

 

Mayank had himself decorated this room for Nupur and he had kept it as a surprise . Each & everything in the room was setup by him personally . Three walls of the room were painted off white & fourth wall on which our their wedding poster resided was of scarlet red color . The bedsheet on the bed was a huge floral print of red & white . Red was favourite color of Nupur & white of Mayank . He had blended the colors perfectly . But the heart wrenching reality is that Nupur was never going to be able to see this beautiful room . Mayank couldn't show his surprise to her . The pain became unbearable & I kneeled down beside the bed table & cried hard . The perfection of the room brought with itself a memory , a memory of the night when Mayank had told me all about his surprise . It was the same day of his interview ………………

 

FLASHBACK 

 

I was pacing up & down on the terrace waiting for chashmish when suddenly my phone rang . It was Mayank ………

 

S :- " Hi Mayank ! Is waqt nupur ki jagah mujhwe kaise yaad kiya ? "

M :- " Tumhein kuch btaana hai Samrat . Nupur to nahi hai aas paas ? "

S :- " Nahi yaar . Kya baat hai Mayank ? "

M :- " Maa Mumbai shift ho gay hain "

S :- " Kya ? Really ? That's great man !!!! "

M :- " Shut up sam !!! Chilla chilla ke poore morena ko nahi btana hai !! Jis din tum log gaye the usi din maa ka phone aaya tha ke promotion ke baad unki transfer Mumbai ho gayi hai aur vo yahaan shift ho rahi hain . Main is baat ka Nupur ko surprise dena chahta hun . "

S :- " Hmmmmm . Kiase kuch socha hai kya ???? "

M :- " Haan kuch kiya to hai . But pehle maa ka surptise suno . Maa na hamari wedding photograph ka bda sa ek poster frame karwa ke hamare room main lagvaya hai aur maione isi main apne surprise ke additions kar diye hain like …………… "

 

And then he described the entire room & I could imagine what nupur's shocked cum pleased reaction would be on seeing it all .

M :- " Kaisa laga ??? "

S :- " Excellent !!! it's the best surprise . Nupur will be on top of the world . To btao main tumahri kya help karun ? '

M :- " Kuch nahi !!! Bas jis din hum aghar waapis aa rahe honge tum humein hamare new apartment ke paas chhod dena . Baaki main sambhal lunga aur pls kisi ko bhi is surprise ke bare main kuch may kehna Gunjan ko bhi nahi . "

S :- " To matlab room dekhne ki permission sirf Nupur ko hai hum logon ko nahi ??? "

M :- " Haan "

S :- " huh ? "

M ( smiling ) :- Sabse pehle use dekhne ka gaq sirf Nupur ka hai fir tum sab ka . "

S (smiling ) :- " Theek hai dude ! Yeh surprise Nupur hamesha yaad rakhegi . just wait and watch . "

Then we both laughed . Mayank was about to hang when I interrupted saying , " arre Mayank ! Kal aa rahe ho na . Parso puja haio yaad hai na ? "

M :- " Haan baba kal pahunch jaunga . "

S :- " Ok bye ! "

 

 

I opened my tearful eyes to the empty hollow room which was perfect decription ok mayank's words . Tears welled up again when I remembered how happy Nupur ws when she got the news about mayank getting the job . I was having breakfast when I heard her running & screaming out our names happily . I nearly got choked up with aalu prantahs on hearing her screaming . We all were happy on seeing things getting settled in their life . I was little happier than the others as I also knew about the surprise waitin for Nupur . Mayank was to join his job after 10 days . As the thought struck I found a rectangular piece of paper kept on the bedside table . They were the plane tickets to Darjeeling . The evening mayank arrived morena , he had told me about one more surprise he had planned ………………      

 

 

FLASHBACK

 

M :- " Samrat , mujhe 10 din baad job join karni hai . Hum 2 din baad morena se chale jaenge . I was thinking ke agar main aur nupur kahiin ghoom aayein , fir kya pta job main time mile ya nahi . What say ? "

S :- " Awsesome idea ! Ek kaam karo tum dono Darjeeling jao . Its an awesome place ! "

 

 

Stupid it may seems but he had happily agreed & we had booked their hotel room & plane tickets there at once . Tickets were booked for first plane after our return from morena only to be kept by their bedside table now . Then came the memory of that night that changed everything all together . Our beautiful picture turned into an ugly destroyed painting in just few hours .

 

During his stay in morena Mayank realised that bauji had not accepted him completely & on other hand Bui had loved him endlessly . So many times he had tried to talk to bauji but something or other came between their conversation – either bauji would be busy with preparations or Mayank was demanded by nupur's relatives who wanted to meet their first son-in-law . The night of puja came . I tried to skip away that memory but instead it became more stronger . I still remember it crystal clear ………

 

 

 

FLASHBACK 

 

We all were sitting in the old traditional house of bauji's ancestors and puja rituals were in full swing . Mayank – Nupur were performing the rituals as directed by pandit ji and our entire gang was sitting behind them . I was stupidly imagining me & chashmish sitting in their places & performing rituals for the next time as only a married couple can do it . On seeing Mayank – Nupur , I suddenly remembered their wedding night & I realised that Nupur was looking like a newly wed bride in her traditional red saree & Mayank looked like her prince charming in that cream golden sherwani . On the other hand chashmish was looking like an angel in her baby pink lehenga choli . I was so engrossed in her that I didn't even try to notice bout how I looked in my black sherwani ensemble .

 

I was still in my fantasy world when we all heard strong sparks of light from the first floor . Lights went off & we all were terrified . Even though it was dark I could still see Nupur holding mayank's hand & chashmish hugged me . Instantly lights flashed on & we saw confusion and terror on each other's face . We were still in shock when we witnessed a blow of fire from upstairs door . A man came out of the door running , screaming , engulfed in fire . That sight terrified us all .

 

All got up instantly & me & Mayank pulled the white sheets on which we were sitting & rushed to save him . We wrapped him in sheets to extinguish the fire . Before we could react further another man came out screaming

" AAG ! AAG ! BHAAGO ! AAG LAG GAYI HAI ! "

 

Me & Mayank could see the blazing terrace at first floor . The fire has reached till the entrance door and was soon to reach downstairs . In the next moment we both could hear the screamings of people present in the hall & witnessed them running hastily towards the exit door . All I could see was chashmish's terrified eyes on me & nupur's on Mayank & then we both realised that we were both closest to the fire . We ran downstairs at once .

 

Mayank ran towards Nupur & me towards chashmish . There was so much chaos that it was difficult to see who had reached out safely & who not . As expected fire spresd downstairs within seconds . Chashmsish and I were holding each other tightly & so were Mayank & Nupur . I could see Mayank & Nupur reaching the exit door . He led her out & I let out a sigh of relief that atleast they both were safe . Then suddenly I was pushed down by someone in all that running & screaming . I hit my forehead on the ground giving myself a bruise . I got up immediately when I realised that chashmish was nowhere near me . I looked around for her but all I could find was the blazing hungry fire . Though I was close to the door but I turned inside . I colun't leave without my chashmish . My heart told me she was here somewhere inside . I ran back inside & started yelling her name on order to find her ……………….

 

 

 

( Outside the house – By narrator )

 

 

The chaos outside the burning house could not be described in words . People were running here & there searching for their loved ones , rejoicing when they found them . But one thing they all commonly witnessed was the condition of the house . The palatial house that stood proudly few moments ago was engulfed in fire & turning to ashes . Mayank & Nupur held each other & they were searching for others . They found Bui soon who hugged them tightly contented that atleast these two were safe . Within  few minutes almost entire gang was with them when suddenly Benji realised that Samrat & gunjan were nowhere to be seen . Bui noticed the absence of bauji . this was enough to send icy splinters in everybody's stomach . Nupur looked terrified & held Mayank for support . Mayank saw nupur's devastated condition .

 

M :- " Nupur please chup ho jao . Vo log yahiin kahiin honge . Unhein kuch nahi hoga …… " Then he turned to benji & uday , " Guys pls jaldi ja ke dhoondo ke vo log kahaan hain . "

 

They both went in one direction & adhiraj in another to search for them . Nupur was crying bitterly holding Mayank , Bui was terrified , Suhani  Dia couldn't stop their tears . Mayank was tensed & he hugged Nupur more tightly . After a while ………

 

M :- " Nupur , pls yahiin rehna main us taraf dekh ke aata hun and please trust me unhein kuch nahi hoga …………. Maian unhein kuch nahi hone dunga ……… "

Nupur just once nodded to Mayank & then he left . After a few minutes Benji , Uday & Adhiraj returned .

 

N :- " Benji , Uday bhaiya , Bauji aur Gunjan kahaan hain ? Adhiraj Samrat kahaan hai ? Tum log kuch bol kyun nahi rahe ho ? "

B :- " Vo Nupur ……….. Vo log kahiin nahi mil rahe . Shayad vo log ab bhi andar hi fase hue hain ……… "

 

These two lines were enough to froze Nupur to her place . Her father , her sister & her best friend was inside that burning house most probably dieing at this moment . Her heart nearly dropped to her feet & then she reacted . She started moving towards the house but just then Benji & Dia caught her .

 

B :- " Nupur kay kar rahi ho ? Kahaan ja rahi ho ? "

N :- " Benji vo log andar hain . Pta nahi kis haalat main hain aur ye sab jaante hue main baahar nahi ruk sakti . Pls mujhe jane do . "

 

Benji gripped her more tightly saying , " Don't be stupid Nupur ! Andar aad dekhi hai tumne ? We are not even sure ke vo log andar hain bhi ya nahi …………… "

 

This entire scene was being witnessed by Mayank . He watched Nupur who was still struggling in Benji's firm grip on her to go inside & save them . All were stopping her . She could not break their holds but he could ………… He was not held by anyone ………… That's when he took a snap decision . Decision to save them . His gut feeling told him that Samrat , Gunjan & Bauji were still trapped inside & he would no0t let anything happen to them at any cost . He would save them . He ran towards the direction of the house grabbing few sheets on the way . All were busy calming Nupur & the at an instance Adhiraj saw Mayank entering into the house . He screamed automatically .

 

A :- " RUK JAO MAYANK ! COME BACK ! "

 

All looked up in the direction of the house & saw that Mayank had almost entered inside the house . This was it for Nupur . Firstly her father , her sister & best friend were inside a death trap & now her love , her core of existence was also near death . She started running towards the house & this time no one could stop her ……………

 

 

( Inside the house – By Samrat )

 

I was still unable to find chashmish & I was losing my conscience due to lack of oxygen . I was stumbling in the hall when I heard a familiar male voice from other side of the hall . He was shouting mine , chashmish's & bauji's name but I couldn't recognize his voice yet . I slowly tried to clear my vision & tried to get up to start my search again , but as soon as I got up I saw him . I saw Mayank . What the hell was he doing inside ????? Hadn't I seen him move out with Nupur ? Yes , I was preety sure I had seen him going & then now what the hell was he doing here ????

 

He caught hold of bauji before he could fall . Bauji  was too getting suffocated like me . Mayank wrapped one sheet around Bauji & started moving towards the door . At the door I could see Nupur watching them tensely . Why was she inside now ? Wasn't Mayank & chashmish enough to scare me to death ???? Then I got the answer to my own question that like I couldn't leave chashmish here alone , she also cannot leave Mayank .

 M :- " Nupur tum andar kya kar rahi ho ? Pls bauji ko yahaan se apne sath baahar le jao . Main Samrat aur gunjan ko dhoond kar aat ahun . Jao Nupur pls hurry up !!!!! "

 

What ????? Mayank came back inside this death tarp just to save all three of us & now he was staying behind to find me & chashmish ????? Was he nuts ???? Nupur didn't reacted much but somehow moved bauji out of the scene but she didn't left . Mayank turned & still saw her standing there .

 

M :- " Nupur tum gayi kyun nhi abhi tak ? Andar aag bahut faail chuki hai pls jao yahaan se . "

N :- " Mayank , main tumhein yahaan akela chhod ke kahiin nahi jaungi . Main bhi gunjan aur Samrat ko tumhare sath yahaan dhoondungi ………… "

 

Had they both gone mad ???? I wanted to scream aloud but my condition didn't approved . Why were they doing this ? My oxygen was slowly finishing up & I was about to fall .

 

M : - " Samajhne ki koshish karo Nupur . I promise main unhein safely baahar le aaunga . Tum jao pls , agr tumhein kuch ho gya to …………… Pls jao Nupur ……… "

N :- " Aur agar andar tumhein kuch ho gya Mayank ? " ( she paused & shuddered even considering the possibility ) " job hi ho main tumhare sath hi baahar jaungi . Ye waqt in baton ka nahi hai . Tum Samrat ko dhoondo main gunjan ko dhoondti hun . " She kept her hand on mayank's face & pleaded , " Please Mayank , I cant go …………… "

 

Mayank couldn't say anything but he just kissed her hand and said , " Theek hai ……. But pls be careful ………. " . I could see he was completely tensed .

 

They both went in different directions . I saw Mayank approaching in my direction . He was calling my name . I had to tell him that I was here so that atleast he could move out alive with working lungs unlike me . I tried to answer but no voice came out . With the help of my hand I moved the furniture a little making a signaling sound . He immediately heard the voice & turned in my direction . He rushed towards me on seeing me grasping for breath .

 

M :- " Samrat ! Tum theek ho na ? Tumhein kuch nahi hoga . Just try n get up , humein yahaan se nikalna hai jaldi . "

 

I wanted to shout so many things at him about putting himself & Nupur in danger just to save us but all I could say in my weak cracked voice was . " Chhhaasshhmisshh … "

 

M ( reassuringly ) :- " Vo theek hai Samrat . Nupur uske sath hai dekho . "

I followed the direction given by his finger . I could see Nupur reviving chashmish & chashmish had opened her eyes a little . Slowly she gained her full conscience & Nupur wrapped a sheet around her . Mayank had already wrapped a sheet around me . Mayank helped me to my feet and we both moved actually he moved while I stumbled towards Nupur & chashmish . When I reached there chashmish hugged me tightly & cried . Mayank – Nupur hugged us both from back .

 

M :- " Samrat , gunjan aag bahut badh chuki hai . Humein yahaan se jaldi nikalna chahiye . "

 

We followed his instruction . I was holding chashmish & Mayank was holding Nupur . Me & chashmish were first to step out of the door but before Mayank & Nupur could get out a wooden chunk from the ceiling has fallen in between the door blocking their path . Our hearts thudded violently against our chests . They both were trapped inside. Fire gave a little view & I could see that nupur's pallu was stuck up badly in the furniture . Both of them were trying to remove it but couldn't .

 

Just then I saw that the fire was reaching near the gas cylinders kept in the corner of the room , not too far away from them . My heart skipped a beat as I realised that they might die if they didn't move out . I moved towards the door & chashmish moved with me . We both tried to extinguish the fire at the door with our sheets bbut were unsuccessful . I think just then Mayank might have noticed the cylinders who were about to catch fire & nupur was still inside with him . Then he saw us near the door .

 

M :- " Samrat Gunjan ! ghar se dur jao !!!!! Darwaze se dur hato ………. "

 

We didn't listen to him so he came in our direction & pushed us away from the door . Nupur at first didn't understand mayank's reaction but when she saw the cylinders she became terrified , not for her but for Mayank because she knew Mayank would not leave her there & she was still not able to free herself . She will not let him die with her . Mayank came back to her .

 

N :- " Mayank jao yahaan se ……………… Just jao pls Mayank ! "

 

But he didn't't listen to her . Then it all happened in a flash of second . One moment it was Nupur trying to free herself & in the next moment I saw Mayank hug her from back . I realised that he was protecting her . His back was in the direction of cylinders . Then I screamed , " NO !!!!!! " . I got up tomove towards the door when a strong blast from inside rocked us all . It was a strong blast and even me & chashmish could feel its blow pretty hard even though we were outside . I helped chashmish to her feet & her sudden shriek of Mayank & nupur's name made me realise that they both were inside during the blast . I hugged her while chashmish struggled in my arms to go inside . My control also gave up . We both ran towards the door and certain sets of hands grabbed us midway . I didn't knew who hel me & chashmish . All I could hear was chashmish crying for her di & jiju & all I could see was Mayank – Nupur lying close to each other in the pool pf blood ……   

 

They both were hurt badly . I was crying too like chashmish . My vision was blurred with my tears . Everyone was crying bit I couldn't recognize the voices yet . I couls only see them . Then I saw Nupur move a little . My heart fluttered with little hope . She moved closer to him and placed her hand on his face . Even through sharp noises I could hear her quiet whisper . She had called his name & Mayank moved alittle too . He tried to say something but no words came out . Pain succeeded everything & she rested her head on his chest . With one arm Mayank cradled her & his eyes started to close . In the buzz of noises I could hear his dying heartbeat just like Nupur . He just survived for 2-3 heartbeats & this his heart fell silent for forever . Nupur hugged him tightly & her eyes closed too while hugging him ………………………….

 

I wanted to shout , I wanted to stop them from going but my body didn't obeyed me . Chashmish was witnessing this all . She managed to release herself from the grasps of other & ran towards the door . She was crying . I stopped her midway this time . She struggled within my arms .

G :- " Samrat mujhe jaane do pls . Di aur Jiju andar hain . Samrat let me go please ……… "

 

We both cried & I held her even more tightly against my chest . Just then a big part of ceiling broke and fell on the floor blocking the view of Mayank & Nupur .

 

G :- " DI !!!!!!!!!!!!! "

 

Chashmish was horrifies & wanted to reach Nupur but her body gave up & she collapsed in my arms .

 

A small gasp escaped my mouth as soon as the  memory finished . It felt like I was still there , like I still saw them dieing in front of me . Tears flowed endlessly through my eyes . After consequences were even more difficult to cope with ……………

 

FLASHBACK  

 

Chashmish has gained conscience but she was not more tah a stone beside me . All our gang was shocked . Bui & bauji were devastated beyond limits . Fire brigade had extinguished the fire now . After a few minutes they came out with Mayank & NHupur on hospital stretcher . We all reacted & moved in their direction . Everybody had a hope in their heart that they might be alive except for me . They both were rushed towards the ambulance . They were bleeding profusely . Doctor checked them . All said to hurry up & take them to the hospital but doctor's words crumpled their last hopes ………

 

Doc :- " I am sorry ………… They both are DEAD ………… "

 

We all became dumbstruck at once . Bauji was the first one to react . He kneeled down beside their dead bodies & cried over them . He has lost his daughter & his son too . Yes , he had forgiven Mayank completely but now it was too late to admit . But this didn't bring me out of my shocked status but it was chashmish's voice . She was besides bauji consoling him .

 

G :- " Bauji aap kyun ro rahe hain ? Di aur Jiju ko kuch nahi hua hai ! Vo dono bilkul theek ho jayenge ."

 

I turned numb on seeing her like that . She had not accepted their death . She moved to bui & then to me .

 

G :- " Samrat , dekho na bauji aur bui kya kar rahe hain . Samjhao na inhein . btao inhein ke di aur jiju bilkul theek hain . Unhein kuch nahi hua hai . "

I looked up at her & her expressions changed on seeing tears in my eyes .

G ;- " Samart tum kyun ro rahe ho ? Aap sab ko ho kya gya hai ? Tum bhi bauji aur bui ki tarah ………… Samrat meri di mujhe chhod kr kabhi nahi ja sakti "

I couldn't take it & I held her hand .

S ;- " Chashmish ……… Mayank aur Nupur ab ……… "

G :- " Stop it Samrat ! Tum bhi ? Mujhe aisi koi baat nahi sun ni hai . Tum nahi to Dia aur Uday bhaiyya meri baat zarur manenge ……… "

 

She turned to move towards them but I grabbed her from back . She had to face it now .

S :- " Gunjan ! Mayank aur Nupur ab kabhi waapis nahii ayenge ! THEY ARE DEAD … "

The truth of my own words shattered me into pieces . She stopped but just moved her head in silent No . I hugged her . I was crying .

S :- " We lost them ……………… chashmish …………… "

 

I released the hug to look at her . She just stared at me & I cupped her face and said again , " They wont come back chashmish ……… We have lost them for forever … "

This time she gave up . Her knees felt weak & she fell . I caught her before she could hit the ground & then she cried hard while I held her close to my chest ………………

 

 

I have never seen chashmish so much devastated before that and her tears & screams still haunt me till date . But the most difficult thing was to tell Shilpa aunty . I had called her to tell about the death of her only son & daughter-in-law but I couldn't even say a single word on hearing her voice . So I decided to go to mumabi & tell her . I was in control of myself , I had to be . I left for Mumbai only 3 hours after their death …………….

 

 

FLASHBACK

 

Mayank had already given me his new address as if he had known that I will need it as soon as he was gone . Benji was with me . We reached Mumbai at about 5:30 in the morning . As I reached his apartment a lump rose in my throat & I coulnt move my hand up towards the bell button .

 

B :- " Sam ………… Hamare paas aur koi raasta nahi hai yaar . Aunty ko btana to padega hi ………………. "

I gathered myself & pressed the bell button . After a few second Shilpa aunty showed up . She was still yawning when she opened the door . As she opened the door she was perplexed to see me & benji .

 

SA :- " Samrat ? Tum itni subah yahaan ? "

At first she was confused & then her expressions turned amused . She said , " Samajh gayi !!!!! Ye ladka bhi na !!!! Sabse pehle tum dono andar aao ………… "

I tried to speak , " Aunty vo Mayank ………………… " & I couldn't speak further …………

 

SA :- " Haan haan janti hun . Ye sab usi ki planning hai . Apna koi naya surprise plant karne ke liye tum login ko bheja hai na ? Waise samrat vo hai kahaan ? Mere bete aur bahu ko kya tum morena main hi chho aaye ho kya ? "

 

The last line shattered me & benji completely . We wanted to say something but coldnt find our voices and she continued ,

SA :- " Khair ……… ye sab chhodo aur jo bhi surprise Mr. Mayank Sharma ne tyaar kiya hai hai na use suke naye room main rakh do . Usne tum logon ko bhi tang kar ke rakha hai ! Aao main tumhein uska room dikhati hun …………… "

 

As soon as she said this I couldn't move an inch from my place . Benji couldn't take it anymore & he had excused himself by making a phone call . And I remained there numb & dumbstruck thinking about how to move my limbs . Mayank had wanted that Nupur should be the first person to see their new room then how could I enter their paradise ? I was still in my thoughts when Shilpa aunty held my hand & moved me towards their room . I wanted to stop her but instead I followed her . She opened the room & then my pain reached its culmination point . I was standing in the middle of the room looking at how exactly the room matched with mayank's descriptions .

 

Without any warning the traitor tears came out . Shilpa aunty was speaking something but I had turned too numb to hear her & then she shook me to demand my attention . Her eyes were concerned & face creased with worry on seeing my tears & now there was no way to hide the cruel reality …………………

 

SA :- " Samrat , kay hua beta ? "

I couldn't say anything & I just hugged her tightly & I didn't knew when I started crying hard while hugging her . She was terrified on seeing me like this . She hugged me back …………

 

SA :- " Samrat kay baat hai beta ? Tu aise kyun ………. ? Sab theek to hai na ? Gunjan to theek hai na ? Mayank – Nupur to …………… ? "

As I heard their name I hugged her even more tightly & cried ……………

SA :- " Samrat btao please kya hua hai beta ? ……………………… "
This time I managed to speak between tears ………….

S ;- " Aunty Mayank aur Nupur ……… vo  …………. Vo dono kabhi waapis nahi aayenge . Vo hum sab ko chhod ke hamesha ke liye chale gaye ……………………."

Then I couldn't speak further . She had turned stone beneath my hug . I kept on crying while hugging her ………………………….

 

I pulled myself out of the memory before it could tear me up further . Next few days were nearly impossible to live . I had cremated my two best friends with my own hands . They might have gone but they had left behind a devastated mother , a suffering sister , a grief stricken father & an incomplete & completely shattered group of friends . I didn't knew how but I had their photograph in my hand at the end of all this .

 

Everything was left incomplete in our lives . We would never see Mayank reading in the silent library , we would never see Nupur saying filmy dialogues in our canteen , we would never hear their stupid but cute fights , the RAJ - SIMRAN of our DDLJ were gone ………………….

 

We all needed them badly . I had several questions surrounding me . In whose phone convos will uday become speed breaker now , who will scold & correct uday & benji for their stupidities like Mayank used to ? who will prepare midnight sandwiches for uday like Nupur used to ? to whom will chashmish go if she ever wanted to share a secret ? Who will accompany dia in her shopping trips ? Who would make dia feel better when she felt low ? With whom will Adhiraj discuss his study issues ? With whom will Suhani join hands to pull my leg ? Who would tease me by the name of chashmish the way nupur used to ? And last but not the least Who would help & support me through my silliest of mistakes the way Mayank did ……………………… ? ? ? ? ?

 

And there was no answer to such questions & there would be no answer ever ………… The pain broke me completely . I held their photograph more tightly across my chest & said silently

 

" I miss you guys ! We all miss you …………… Please come back …………… We all need you ………… Please come back na yaar ……………… "

 

 

Ok guys !!!!! I know a too long one !!!!! But i just couldn't help but write ......... Thanx for bearing with nme . Pls guys me waiting !!!! Do comment !!!!!! Criticism is most welcomed ......

 

PS :- Thank you Dolly for encouraging me to write once again ...........

 

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Simi