JB: Zindagi Ka Safar (2) Imp. Note Pg 44 - Page 13

Thanks for all the comments. I didn't to reply to them all as I've got a lot going on today. I have read them all and do really appreciate them. So thanks guys!

Hope you like this update! Happy Reading!

Anam

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Chapter 115

"How did you know that?" Rishab asked.

"Because you've never once mentioned your family or anything really that happened before college."

"Am I that transparent?" Rishab grinned.

"Rishab, I'm not going to judge you based on something that happened in your past" Anjali told him.

"Anjali, that's just it" Rishab explained. "I don't know what happened in my past. I don't remember any of it."

Anjali said nothing; she waited for Rishab to explain what he meant.

"I have amnesia Anjali" Rishab told her. "I don't remember anything before fifteen years ago."

"Rishab, I'm sorry" Anjali said quietly. "That must be terrible."

"It is, sometimes," Rishab admitted. "Especially around the holidays. I don't know who my family is, where I come from, what holidays I am supposed to follow to or even what my real name and birthday are. Most of the time I'm okay with it, living in the present but when holidays come around or times when families get together I start wondering who I am."

"Did you ever try to look for your family? Find out who you are?" Anjali asked.

"I was found half dead on a beach in San Diego by a fisherman" Rishab explained. "He took me to a mission where he and several of the nuns nursed me back to health. While I was out of it they tried to find out if there were any missing persons reported. They even checked to see if there were any escapees from the prisons. I was in pretty rough shape; they thought I might be a fugitive."

"They found nothing I assume" Anjali replied.

"Not a thing" Rishab said. "As it is when they asked me my name and didn't know it I had to make one up. The first thing that came to my mind was Rishab Singhania. I suppose it could be my real name, but I doubt it. I don't even know for sure how old I am or when my birthday is. I use the day I was found as my birthday."

"Rishab, why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" Anjali asked quietly. "It's nothing to be ashamed of you know."

"Amnesia? I know that" Rishab agreed readily, "but it's what I can't remember that worries me. What if I'm a crook? Or married? I could have a child out there. Anjali, I don't know any of this."

Anjali snuggled back up to Rishab and smiled contentedly. "You know Rishab, I have friends who are detectives and I can have them investigate this for you if you like."

"What if it turns out I'm married?" Rishab asked.

Anjali looked at Rishab in surprise. "I suppose it's possible but I highly doubt it. If you've been here for fifteen years you would have only been a kid at the time."

"I could be a criminal," he said.

"I don't believe that one either. I have a knack for picking out the criminal element and you definitely don't fit the profile."

Rishab smiled. "I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you. You're one in a million Anjali."

Anjali sighed happily. She snuggled with Rishab for a moment longer before deciding it was time for her to come clean with him.

"Since we're both bearing our deepest darkest secrets" Anjali began, "I guess it's time for me to tell you mine." Anjali pulled herself from Rishab's warm embrace and when she stared into his eyes it hit her… the nervousness. She knew Rishab was different from other people which is one of the reasons she loved him so much, but still… it had happened before, people she trusted, people she cared about turning their back on her because of it. They'd never say it to her face to be sure, but before long the relationship was over.

Rishab was about to say something but Anjali held her hand up stopping him. Her mind was whirling right now and she had to get it out as quickly as possible.

"Do you remember when we had that little discussion about people who we had dated or why we both hadn't married yet? You had asked me if I was ever in a serious relationship and I didn't say anything."

Rishab nodded. He was again about to reply but Anjali cut him off. Her words were coming fast and furious.

"While it's true that I've never been in a very serious relationship, not on my own choice, at least" Anjali rambled, "I wasn't being entirely truthful. Truthful isn't exactly the right word, evasive would be more the correct choice in words."

Rishab's mouth formed an "O" but never managed to say anything.

"I suppose I should have told you a long time ago" Anjali continued nervously. "It's not that I'm ashamed of it or anything, it's just not something I make public knowledge. I've had a lot of bad experiences over the years with people I thought were friends turning on me or just dropping out of my life once they find out. So out of self-preservation, I've learned to be cautious and guarded"

"Anjali, what is it?" Rishab asked, finally getting to complete a question.

"I was engaged Rishab. The reason I moved to US in the first place." she said as quickly as she could.

There was a moment of silence before Rishab said, "I see." Anjali tried to read his reaction but couldn't and it made her that much more nervous.

"It bothers you doesn't it?" Anjali said fearfully. "See, that's exactly what I was afraid of…" This time it was Rishab that cut off Anjali and he did so by planting a firm kiss on her lips.

"No Anjali" Rishab whispered lovingly. "It doesn't bother me in the least. Hey, for all we know, I could've been engaged to before. You know one of those childhood deals between families for their kids." His eyes were twinkling brightly. Anjali couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't think so," Anjali grinned as he looked at his handsome face and terrific body.

Rishab was about to speak when Anjali cut him off.

"Please let me finish. I wasn't engaged because I wanted to; it was a business deal that my father had made. I was engaged before I even knew what was going on. Fortunately for me, the guy lived in US and had several girlfriends and didn't want to marry me either. When I broke off the engagement, my father blamed it on me, saying that I must've done something to cause him grief in his business. So you see, for my father, his business was much important than his daughters' happiness." Anjali said on the verge of tears. She was the most sensitive person yet she was the strongest.

Rishab took Anjali's hands in his own and gazed deep into her eyes. "Anjali, it doesn't bother me at all. I love you and nothing is going to change my love for you. As you said, you WERE engaged, you are not engaged and what happened in the past is past."

"Yes but not everyone understands that. Every time someone finds out that I was once engaged, they want nothing to do with me." Anjali continued. "In our culture/society, it's not looked at something to be proud of. Being a divorcee or having a broken engagement, people have a tendency to talk."

"Well I'm not talking and if anyone has a problem with that, then it's their problem, not ours. I love you and that is all that matters." Rishab offered.

"You're not going to ditch me if and when you get your memory back, right?" Anjali asked. She didn't really think so but she had to make sure.

"No Anjali" Rishab smiled. "That's my way of telling you that together we can work through anything."

Anjali's heart melted. She knew by the look in his eyes he meant every word. She would remember today for a very long time. "I love you Rishab" Anjali said happily.

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"I'm sorry Mr. Walia" the admitting clerk frowned. "There is no one here using the name Ronit Walia."

"Do you have any John Doe's?" Jai asked hopefully. The newscaster told him the man he thought was his brother was unconscious.

The clerk glanced at the list of John Doe's they had from the earthquake. "We have one John Doe, but he's a black male in his late 40's the lady told them and our other John Doe, who would have fit your brother's description was identified this morning I am afraid."

Jais' heart sank. One minute his hopes would soar and the next minute they'd be dashed. "Thanks anyway" he said. Bani placed her hand in Jais' and together they left the admitting area of St. John's hospital.

"We'll find him Jai" Bani said convincingly. "I'm sure of it."

Jai turned and smiled. "Thanks angel" he said.

"Aren't you supposed to call Anjali?"

"Oh yeah, you're right" Jai said pulling his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Anjali's number.

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"So, now that we've told each other how we feel about each other" Rishab said with an impish grin, "how about you spring me from this place and we can go back to my place and show each other."

Anjali laughed out loud. "Here you are awake for only a few hours and you already have sex on the brain. Typical male. Sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't have a place to go back to."

"Hey, I was kidding" Rishab grinned. "But thanks for reminding me. I guess I'll check into the motel around the corner from the store until I can make some more permanent arrangements. Anjali, I really want to get out of here today and the doctor said it wouldn't be a problem." He feigned a pout and Anjali couldn't help but laugh.

She was about to respond when her cell phone rang. "Hold that thought, will you?" Anjali asked as she answered her phone.

"Anjali Mittal here" she said.

"Anju, its Jai."

"Hey jaan" Anjali said in an upbeat mood. "Any luck with your brother?"

"Unfortunately no" Jai replied. "No one here using the name Ronit Walia and there's only John Doe and he's a 40ish black male."

"That's a shame" Anjali replied. "Maybe you could try the apartment complex. Maybe someone there knows him."

"That's a thought," Jai agreed. "If there's anyone still living there. The fire I saw the other day looked like the whole place was engulfed."

"It's worth a shot. Sometimes people go back hoping to find stuff that might not have been burned."

"Maybe" Jai said. "I think we're going to try a few more hospitals first. Before we do that are we going to meet your other half?"

Anjali cupped her hand over the receiver. "Are you up to meeting my best friend and his fiance from back home?" She asked Rishab.

"They're here in California?" Rishab asked in surprise.

"Yeah, they're looking for his brother. So are you up to it?"

"Sure" Rishab smiled. "I want to see the guy who let you get away from him and thank him."

"How about now?" Anjali asked. "We're in room 264. It's right near the main desk on the second floor."

"Sounds good" Jai grinned. "We'll see you in a few minutes." Jai put his phone away and wrapped his arms around Bani as the two headed for the elevators to the second floor. It was time to meet the love of Anjali's life.

To be continued…

Hi Anam!!!🤗

WOW! wonderful part😆😆

Now the raaz is out😉😃

Rishab/Ronit has amenesia (partial or full you know who I am referring to😡)

Jai is heading towards Rm# 264....where Rishab/Ronit is...😃😆

Haila aab keya hoga..................I hope everything would go well..........after 15 years Jai could meet his missing brother..........that would be a reunion of the years I must say😃😆😆

Plz Plzzzzzzzzzzzz update sooooooooooooooooooooooooooon😊

🤗

Originally posted by: bugs_bunny

noo.. not again.. 😭 😭 😭 kya hua?😆

they have to meet in the next one right?? no more delaying!! 😆 😆 erm...no promises! i love the suspense yaar...i only like to create, i don't like it when others make me go through hell lol! so payback time hehe!

soo so he has amnesia.. that's a good reason for never contacting them!! 😊 i was thinking maybe he heard something & decided to leave! now now...he isn't that bad lol!

anjali was engaged?? WAS being the key word 😆 😆 yup...its mentioned in beginning of the story somewhere. (If i'm not wrong, its mentioned during a dance between Anjali and Jai at the Youth Center.)

continue sooon will try to update before going to bed tonight. no promises though!

Thank you for the comments! 😃

Anam

Originally posted by: sapnon_ki_pari

Okay, I have never pressured you to update but I will now!! hehe but you said "never". 😆

COME ON! Update, please, pretty please! 😉 will try to give you an update before going to bed tonight. but no promises ok?

Okay, I am really excited to know how the meeting between Jai and Ronit is! it's going to be exciting, i can promise you that!

Poor Anjali and her past but at least she found someone perfect! i know. 😳

Loved it! thank you so much!

Anam

-Pari 👏