Strangers- Complete FF - Pages 136 to 139 - Page 47

Originally posted by: sailat@PA

haha!! i found it funny how you're apologizing before letting her know that they'll be more misunderstandings😆😆

Originally posted by: sailat@PA

Opti--are you updating later today?!!

Originally posted by: gawker

poor prachi, when she's finally found love and belonging, her world comes crashing down again. do hope she doesn't suffer too long.

Part 11

(i)

Back in his office, Milind was blissfully unaware that he was the cause of Prachi's mental and emotional turmoil. After Ayesha left, his sub-staff brought in the tiffin carrier saying that his wife had handed it to him. Milind was surprised that Prachi had come to visit him at his office and wondered why she did not come in. When the man mentioned that she had come with the baby, he presumed that Sahana may have been restless, the reason why Prachi left almost immediately. He tried calling her on her cell but it was switched off. He called his residence but was told that Prachi and Sahana had not reached home as yet. He thought he will call her later and find out why she left without meeting him.

"I'm Milind Mishra," he introduced himself. "You are...?"

"Neev Shergill," smiled the stranger and shook his hands.

Milind felt the ground under him giving way. So it was her picture in the wallet. He was tempted to flee but stood his ground. He wanted to know what Neev was doing in this city and why was he still having his wife's photograph in his wallet. A guy who has married another woman out of his own freewill should not go around carrying his ex's picture. Something told him that he should not probe further for he may not like what he finds but his curiosity got the better of him.

"Are you new around here?" he asked conversationally.

"Well, not exactly. I've been living in this city for the past six months but am leaving for the U.K. tomorrow." Neev replied.

"U.K? I lived in London for two years."

"Is that so? I'm going to London too. Is accommodation expensive there?"

"That depends. Are you shifting with your family?"

"No. I'm going there alone. Right now my employer will arrange for something but eventually I'll have to find my own place."

"Well, there are wider options for single men. Why don't we discuss it over coffee? That is.. if you have the time."

"Thank you. I'm free for the afternoon," Neev said and led Milind to the nearest coffee shop.

Milind did not know what he was getting himself into. Since he was the one who set the ball rolling, he could not go back.

"Wait, I'll have to withdraw some money," he said trying to buy some more time to compose his thoughts.

"Sorry. I didn't realise you have still not withdrawn your money. I'll wait here," said Neev.

Milind quickly went into the cubicle. As he punched his PIN number in the machine, his mind raced through Prachi's narration. If Neev had married his boss's daughter, why was he here in Pune? And why was he still carrying his ex-girl friend's picture in his wallet even after ditching her? And more importantly where was his wife and why was he leaving for London alone? Only Neev can answer all his questions. He decided to get them out of him without raising his suspicions.

"I couldn't help but notice the photograph in your wallet. Who is the girl?"

Neev smiled, "That is my girl friend Prachi Shah. She is no more in this world but I cannot forget her."

Milind was shocked to hear this. What did he mean by that?

"You mean she is dead?" he asked stupidly.

"Yes, she died a year ago."

"How?" Milind's voice was barely a whisper. Could there have been some serious misunderstanding?

"Mr.Shergill. Please control yourself. You needn't talk about it if you don't want to."

Neev hastily wiped his eyes and said that he was alright.

"We were to get married but everything went up in smoke," he said mournfully.

Milind slowly came to know of Neev's painful past through his incoherent ramblings. Neev's story matched Prachi's up to the point where they were to meet in VT station. While Neev was waiting for Prachi, Mr.Dalal's men attacked him with sticks. He was beaten up to a pulp and was left to die. He had passed out almost immediately. The few mute and scared spectators at the station later admitted him in a hospital. He was unconscious for nearly two weeks and was bedridden for nearly six months with multiple fractures involving ribs, thighs and forearms. He had tried to call Prachi several times after he regained consciousness but couldn't reach her. During this time Prachi's brother, Alaap came to meet him at the hospital and lambasted him, blaming him for his sister's death. He was shocked to learn from him that she committed suicide thinking that he ditched her. Although no one was aware that she was carrying his child, he knew that she would have taken this extreme step because she may not have wanted her child to go through what she did as an illegitimate child.

"I killed her, Mr.Mishra. I killed her. I got her pregnant and was not around when she needed me the most. "

"What about the cell?" Milind suddenly asked.

Neev looked at him in confusion.

Realising he said much more than he intended to, Milind recovered to ask, "You must have had a cell at the time of attack. Did you use it to try calling Prachi up?"

"No, someone had stolen it when I was unconscious. In fact I lost my money as well. I had to use the hospital phone to try calling her up."

For the rest of the day his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of what transpired in the meeting with Neev. Why did he have to meet Neev now when he was on the verge of confessing his love to Prachi? Why did he have to probe into his past? Why could he have not just walked away after handing over Neev's wallet? Now that he knows about Neev's past, was it right to let him continue to think that Prachi was dead? Should he tell Prachi about Neev? He was scared that if he tells Neev and Prachi the truth about each other he would lose not only his beloved wife but also the child he has grown to love and consider his own. But was it right to deprive Sahana the right to be raised by her biological father? His conscience was torn between coming clean with both Neev and Prachi and wanting to hold on to the two people he loves the most in this world. He knew that both Prachi and Sahana have grown attached to him but they are still in ignorance. Is ignorance always bliss? His head pounded with all these difficult questions and he had no answers to any of them.

Originally posted by: sailat@PA

been an hour since you posted and i'm still the first one to comment!! :P

OMGGGGG! why oh why did Neev have to be a positive character...i very much liked him when he supposedly had deceived Prachi! oh goshhh! both Michi are in agony.....again a cliffhanger!! i felt bad for Neev but i am feeling worse for Michi....i think Milind will try to do the right thing....how will he even temporarily separate from Prachi and Sahana...if it comes down to this!! 😭😭

E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T!! :D Thanx again for the lovely update!!