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This was the proudest moment of Viraj's life. Nisha had won her first state championship, their first state championship. That she was special, was indubitable. She had risen above her emotions and worked tirelessly to ensure that his Lakshya Academy didn't close down... No, her Lakshya Academy. This Lakshya Academy was definitely hers. She had given new life to it. It was his dream definitely, but she had fulfilled it.
He smiled proudly as he saw the entire Ganghawal household surround Nisha, congratulating her. Suketu was performing an impromptu jig with the rest of the cousins cheering. Ramesh and Lakshmi were asking them to be quieter. Dadaji was talking to Dadi about how Nisha had pleasantly surprised him with her determination and talent.
Nisha wanted to spend those moments with the special people in her life. She had refused to go to Lakshya Academy. So,they had arrived at Ganghawal house immediately after Nisha's win.
Viraj too wanted to share his happiness with the special person in his life. But Aarthi had been distant lately. Ever since he had confessed his love to her, she had been avoiding him. He never caught her online at the same time as himself. She took a long time to reply to his emails and her replies were shorter than ever. He told himself that she was probably busy...
Today, he was desperate to speak to her. Who else would he share it with? He had sent her an email telling her that he wanted to share something with her. He really wanted to talk to her about the day's events. Not just inform her, talk to her.
Every five minutes he checked his phone, hoping for a reply. The ladies of Ganghawal house kept offering him refreshments of sorts but he wasn't in the mood to eat. Aarthi's silence was getting on his nerves.
Suddenly his phone beeped. It was Aarthi's reply:
You want to tell me something? Let's meet up. Lakshya Academy's shooting grounds, 7 sharp.
Viraj couldn't believe his eyes. Meet her? Wow! This had to be the luckiest day in his life! First Nisha won the championship and now he was going to meet Aarthi. In fact, he was already planning on introducing Aarthi to Nisha...someday. Viraj was smiling at his phone.
Suketu walked up behind Viraj and said, "uff Sir! You're reading emails? I thought it was Deepika's picture going by your smile.Serious workaholic, aren't you? "
Viraj hastily locked his phone and put it inside his pocket. He didn't want anyone to know that he was in love with a stranger. He definitely didn't want the cousins to know. For, if the cousins knew, Nisha would know too. He didn't want Nisha to stop respecting him. She was the only person who genuinely did respect him.
"Oh no! It was just an advertisement. These online portals..." Viraj averted his eyes hoping Sukku would leave him alone.
Nisha came to his rescue. "Sir, you wanted to go to the Academy didn't you? Shall we go now? I think the staff deserve a treat, too!"
"Of course, Miss Nisha! Let's go. " Viraj agreed immediately. He had only an hour. He recalled all the gifts he had bought for her... All the gifts that he never thought he'd ever be able to gift her... But... What if she didn't like them? Maybe he'd save the gifts for a later occasion. She'd agreed to meet him. Of course he'd get an opportunity to give her gifts later.
Viraj held the door for Nisha, still lost in his thoughts. Nisha grabbed the door handle herself and said loudly, "I got this. Are you sure you can drive? You seem lost. Or should we take my scooty?"
Viraj snapped out of his thoughts. "No Miss Nisha... I'm fine. Its just a really exciting day for me."
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It was 3 quarters to seven when they reached the Academy. Viraj parked his car and held the door for Nisha again. He wondered what Aarthi would think about him. He smiled at her and said, "Welcome home Miss Nisha! Lakshya Academy is waiting for its most determined and most successful student!"
Nisha smiled back, merely out of politeness and nodded. She had promised to win him that medal, now she didn't owe him anything.
Viraj looked in the direction of the shooting range. Was she here already?
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Finally it was 7. Viraj peeped out of his cabin towards the grounds- no one. He picked up a rose from the vase next to him and proceeded to the shooting range.
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Nisha waited for him, quietly. She didn't want to hurt him... Or did she? It wasn't like she was hatching a plan to hurt him. Yet she knew that he would end up being hurt.
"Miss Nisha? I'm sorry. I was waiting for someone. "
Nisha turned around to see a nervous Viraj with a rose in one hand. As soon as he saw Nisha staring at the rose he put his hand behind his back. He didn't want Nisha to know yet.
"It's getting late, Miss Nisha. Shouldn't you leave?"
Without saying a word, Nisha took out her phone and typed. Viraj immediately received the email.
You don't recognize me though I stand right before your eyes. You claim to love me?
Viraj's's eyes widened. Oh God!
He looked at Nisha questioningly... Although he already had his answer. It made perfect sense... Why would anyone else care for him the way she did? But he had rejected her.
"Aarthi I can explain. I swear I can explain. I swear I had no idea that you were... I do love you! With all my heart. You're all I have."
Nisha had started walking away.
Viraj hastily followed her.
"Aarthi, please... Please Aarthi talk to me..." He pleaded. Nisha kept walking away.
Finally he ran to her and held her hand. "Aarthi..."
"It's Nisha, Sir. Never did get it right... Did you? Aarthi... Does not exist. Never did. "
Jerking her hand away, Nisha finally walked off.
The rose fell from Viraj's hand. He shut his eyes to let it sink. On what he had anticipated to be the luckiest day of his life... He had become alone.... Again.
He stared at her receding back. He wanted to stop her. But who did he want? Aarthi?
But, like Nisha had just told him...
Aarthi didn't exist. Never had existed. And now, Nisha wouldn't exist in his life either.
A single tear trickled down his eye. Slowly he trudged back towards his penthouse.
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Daadji noticed that something was amiss as soon as Viraj entered. "Are you all right, Chhote hukum?"
Viraj nodded without looking at him.
"Chhote hukum, why don't you play your drums? You'll feel better." Shyam Singh handed Viraj his drumsticks.
In a sudden move, Viraj snatched the drumsticks off Daadji's hands and hurled them towards the crystals on the counter. Some crystals slid down on impact... Viraj felt the crash resonate inside himself.
"Please forgive me Daadji. I need some time... Please."
Shyam Singh hesitated for a moment, then he left with a bow.
Viraj went up to his room. Sitting down at his table, he took out a postcard and hovered his pen over it.
"She doesn't exist. The love of my life doesn't-"
As he wrote, it struck him. His mother didn't exist either. There was no reality in his life.
He turned to look towards the gifts he had collected for Aarthi, the dress that she mistakenly wore... Then he looked at the postcard. Lies that he had told himself. None existed. Not even himself.
He collected all the postcards he had ever written. Then he collected the cards he had brought for Aarthi. With all of this he rushed to his terrace.
Collecting all of this in a heap, Viraj found his bottle of vodka and poured it on that heap. Getting out his pistol he fired at it.
He slid down against the wall in one corner of the terrace and stared at the erupting flames.
No one existed. He'd made sure.
The End
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
