MINE

Chapter 11

“Now tell me, is Janvi a murderer?” Questioned Shilpa sharply gazing at Rajat and she got no reply. “Forget it, Shilpa, I did not tell my story to prove that I am at no fault…. I told my story only because he tried to save my Wils. let's go.” she said and took her bag. Janvi walked to the door and she heard Rajat's deep voice say "Mistake is mine, I should have asked your part of the story before I reacted”. 

Janvi turned to look at him… “do you think your lame apology is going to make all recent actions disappear?” questioned Shilpa. “I know it won't… but let me tell you the reason why I reacted that way” replied Rajat... 

On the morning of Nov 11th, I was at my friend's house. The girl whom he loved for 4 years was ready to sacrifice him for her parents. He was depressed and I was with him because he was alone and I was worried about him. Later in the evening, I asked my other 2 friends to stay with him. While I was going back home I was wondering how a can girl cause such despair. As I was cruising in my car, I saw an older woman crying and yelling for help. I stopped my car and asked her what happened. She said “my son has ingested poison; I should take him to the hospital can you please help me?!? She asked with teary eyes. I hurried into their house… that's when I saw Wilson, he was squirming on the bed. I carried him to the car and put him in the back seat, his mom sitting behind said. “why did you do this? What will your dad and I do without you?” Cried that mom. “Why did he attempt suicide aunty?” I asked. “because of a girl, because of that bloody girl he decided to leave us”. While we were speeding to the hospital my car stopped. I didn't know what was the problem but my car refused to start by then he started throwing up blood. His mom was wailing at the thought of losing him. I stopped an auto-rickshaw and shifted him to the auto. Wil’s grabbed my shirt and muttered breathlessly “please save me”. “Nothing will happen to you,” I said holding his hand sat him up. We reached the hospital. I yelled for someone to bring the stretcher. A few of us carried him out of the auto and put him on a stretcher. I kept patting him on his cheeks to keep his eyes open… trying to calm him down…. But all the effort went down the drain…he breathed his last in my arms. Deep inside, I knew he was dead but still hoped the doctors would make a miracle. His dad came running behind, hoping his son will be alright but the doctor declared him dead. His parents were inconsolable. they cursed you, they cursed the gods for bringing this fate upon their only child. that's when they showed your message to me. I was surprised how can a girl be so cold-blooded. I walked out of the hospital with tears in my eyes and a blank head still trying to wrap my head around everything that just unfolded. That was the day I decided, there will be no girl in my life. I started hating girls, I started to hate the concept of a relationship of marriage. Because I was forced to get married I looked for onsite opportunities and moved to Sydney. The way you were portrayed as the reason behind why I behaved the way I did. 

“I have gone through a lot more in my life. the day I lost Wilson, I could’ve taken my life. I’ve wondered sometimes if I had killed myself, I would have had an afterlife with him. But I know he wouldn’t want that. All he wanted to do was keep me happy. I am living in this world so I could at least keep his memories. However, as we decided earlier you make arrangements for our divorce” said Janvi and left. “I will call you later Rahul,” said Shilpa and accompanied her best friend. 

Shilpa and Janvi reached their house, Janvi threw her bag aside and sat on the bed, she pulled the phone out from her pocket and opened the gallery, she looked at Wilson's photo tears slipped down her cheeks. “You gave me so much hope, so much love, so much care and left me all alone”. “Janu control yourself,” said Shilpa tapping on her friend's shoulder. “You heard what Rajat said? Wilson wanted to be saved… he didn’t want to leave me…. imagine what kind of pain he could have gone through? Why is life so unfair? I have no reason to live in the world Shilpa...” “Hey Janu, God has kept you alive for a reason. Don't think about anything, close your eyes and rest for a while. 

That night passed and there was a knock at the door. Janvi opened her eyes and looked at the clock, it was 10:15 AM. Shilpa came running from the washroom, “Janu you go freshens up… I will see who’s at the door” she said... Shilpa waited until Janvi went into the washroom and opened the door. She saw Rahul and Rajat “why did you bring him here? Making her feel like shit was not enough for you? Right when she was getting things straight and back to normal you push her into depression!” she barked furiously. Rajat spoke nothing. “Shilpa I am traveling back to India tomorrow and he is going to Sydney. We know what Rajat did was wrong. Its jus- it’s just that he realized it a bit too late, he wanted to see her once before leaving”. “I can't decide, let me check with Janvi. You guys can wait in the living room” she said as she walked away. She knocked on the bathroom door. “Janu, can you hear me? Rahul and Rajat have come to meet you... will you be okay or should I send them back?” “I will be right outside” replied Janvi. 

Janvi came out of the washroom “you talk to her” said Rahul nudging Rajat and walking into the kitchen to talk to Shilpa. “ I uhh…Tomorrow I am traveling. I need at least 2 days’ time to meet the lawyer” said Rajat. “Sure, take your time,” replied Janvi without looking at Rajat. “I have seen so many girls who cheat on their loved ones…. but this is the 1st time I’ve seen a girl who is still madly in love with someone who is no more”. Janvi looked into Rajat's eyes and he said "I am sorry" tears were rolling down Janvi's eyes she wiped her tears and nodded her head. 

Rahul from behind said, “Janvi I am traveling back to India and him to Sydney and our flights are almost at the same time, why don't you and Shilpa come to give us a send-off?” He looked at Shilpa and gave a coffee mug to Rajat's hand Shilpa said “I don’t mind if Janvi is ok with it”. “I will be there” replied Janvi.