Chapter 6
The cold air outside had tried to console her, but in vain. The flashback replayed in Krisha's head, and she continued to sob. Yes, Krisha. She had lied to the FITE kids. She thought of the incident again.
Back to Flashback
Parth, who was standing next to the mentor, noticed the village girls. The girl that was ahead was skinny, and the girl behind was tall and chubby, but not fat. He saw that the chubby girl had left her anklet behind. So he picked it up, he knew this anklet... he had seen it before. He was about to call her, until he saw that she would have almost fell. So he ran toward her and caught her hand.
Immediately, the chundari that was covering Khushi's face fell. She felt that strong hand before, and in shock, she looked back.
To Parth, at first, he felt something weird when he saw the anklet, but when he saw her, one thing sprung in his mind...Krisha!
"Krisha?" Parth immediately said. His face, which was covered in concern, showed a relief, like a small baby who found someone he knew, someone he loved.
The tears that were beginning to form in Khushi's eyes began to change into a form of rage.
"Listen you, I am not Krisha here. I am Khushi. Don't let anyone know about my name, especially not the FITE or anyone. Don't ever call me by that name... actually don't call me anything at all. You have lost that right. I am Khushi. Do you understand?" Krisha whispered in a low, coarse voice,
Parth, who was puzzled at her thick village accent, began, "You're here? I can't believe you're right in front of me. I have been looking...wait. Why are you speaking in this mixed up Hindi, Krish? Why... When-"
"KHUSHI! You don't understand something the first time, do you? My name here is Khushi, keep it that way. You understand? I only know Hindi... understand? Don't ever meet me again. And if you happen to see me, act as you never have seen me before. I don't want anything to do with you. Ever again."
Confused now, Parth tried to talk to her, but before he could say anything, Khushi snatched her anklet and left. But deep down, he was so happy. Two years... two years Krisha, I have not seen you. I am so happy. I will figure out what has happened to you. Why are you mad? Why are you here though...instead of... And why haven't you...
Khushi, ran away from that area to the well, with Laajo running behind her. Khushi, who crunched down with her back against the well wall, cried her heart out. When Laajo saw this, she leaned down, hugged her, and began to say...
"Krisha. Krisha. Calm down. What is going on? How did that guy know your name? Didn't you not tell Sarpanchji to not tell these foreigners your real name? I don't think anybody in the village has said anything. Then, how did he know your name? And why are you crying? Krisha?"
Krisha looked up. Her new avatar of Khushi fully unfolded, now said in between sobs. "Laajo... He is Parth. Yes, I had told Dadaji not to tell any of these city kids my true self. And yes, no one has told them. But he knows. He knows me from before. I can't tell you what has happened in between him and me... but it hasn't ended well. I can't believe he had the nerve to come and talk to me. I hate him."
Krisha buried her face in her hands. Laajo, that knew Krisha had a lot of rough times during her life, held Laajo under her embrace. According to Laajo, letting Krisha cry was the only things she could do.
After her breakdown, Krisha, who appeared lifeless now, gathered her strength and got the water. However, the two used the longer way, avoiding Khala's house, to go back to the cottage.
End Flashback
Tears still fresh on her face. Krisha closed her eyes and sat down by the nearby tree.
"Ahhh!" She screamed. Her pain, her agony, her difficulties, her struggles, her broken heart could all be felt in that desperate bawl.
"Tumne meri saath aisa kyun kiya Paarth? Kyun? Why did I have to see you? Why did you come in my life before?" She cried again. This time, she couldn't control her volume. She knew that these college kids were extremely tired, so she felt that they wouldn't wake up anyways.
She was broken.
Just then, the sac that she kept hidden under her ghagra choli was vibrating. She opened it and saw her phone. 'Aman,' it read. Krisha wiped her tears She quickly looked around her to see if anyone was awake, and just as she thought, those college kids were asleep.
She cleared her throat, put the phone on speaker, and answered clearly, "Yes. Mr. Aman. My apologies for not calling before. You see things over here are a bit hectic. I still haven't reached where I need to be. Why did you call?"
"Oh, Ms. Krisha. I am deeply sorry for disturbing you. But there is a problem. Our clients has..." The other line was on speaker.
And with that, Krisha hushed-up her heavy heart and got distracted in talking to that person. But what she didn't know was that there was a pair of eyes watching her- puzzled, shocked, and betrayed.
Current Affairs
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