The last part of the story....
I was sitting on the bench in the churchyard holding the personal diary of a stranger with whom I fell in love; for whom I came here-to meet her, talk to her and what I ended up with was her diary. Leaving the etiquette to air, I opened the it. I saw her picture pasted on the very first page-the same deep black eyes mesmerizing smile. Breaking the magical spell of her eyes, I turned the page. The very first thought that crossed my mind was how come a beautiful girl have such a bad handwriting.
I skimmed through the pages of her diary and stopped at the page
June 12: I didn't want to leave bed today unknown of what this day has in store for me. It was Vikas' birthday tomorrow and was to go for the shopping at the city mall. I picked out a faded blue jeans and a starchy black kurthy-both gifted by Vikas.
I've gone through all the shops but couldn't find anything appealing. 'We'll go some other mall,' suggested Tanuja. We decided to go Western mall. 'Let's eat something first,' I hinted at the McD. She nodded. I began to look for empty tables to seat ourselfs while she went to order burgers. I spotted a vacant table near the window and gestured her to come fast as I was damn hungry. I sat on the chair and looked around. I saw a familiar white shirt with a print of eagle on the back. 'Vikas,' I said to myself. I started walking to him but changed the idea and returned to my place.
He looked as if he as waiting for someone. 'Who's he waiting for?' I thought. I turned to Tanuja, she was frequently looking at me. Did they plan a surprise for me? I smiled to myself. Let's not spoil their plan I decided. Tanuja joined me soon after; she picked up her burger and began munching, I as still waiting.
'I'll call Vikas,' I said. 'Why?' asked she instantly. I gave her a look and dialed his number. 'Hey Vikas where are you?' I asked.
'Hmm..I'm at home,' he replied with an ease.
'Home?' I asked again.
'Yes baby. Don't you trust me?'
'I do,' I said and disconnected the call.
'What happened?, asked Tanuja. I shook my head and she resumed munching.
Ten minutes passed and a sweet looking girl accompanied Vikas. 'Won't you eat?' asked Tanuja. I stared at them intensely.
'What happened ?' asked she and followed my view. 'Vikas!' she exclaimed, who's that girl with him?'
I dialed his number again and he didn't picked it up. He slowly moved his hand and clutched girl's hand, she began smiling. I called him again he disconnected. I got up and stood in-front of him,glaring at their clamped hands. He let go of her hand at once and stood. 'Shruthi,' words hardly came through his mouth. I slapped him across his face and walked out.
June 15: I want to meet him one last time-talk to him question him why did he do this to me? He moved to Hyderabad for his studies. I'm going there to meet him...
Those were the last words written in her diary.
That day in the morning:
'Now?' asked Varun. We were standing outside the church.
'Sharada Girls Hostel,' I said.
We started walking, asking the address of the hostel. In less than 20 minutes we were gazing at the main gate of the hostel.the girls were walking in and out.
'I have a plan,' I said. Varun looked at me in horror. 'Don't tell me we have to dress up like girls,it works only in movies.'
'Shut up. Come with me,' I dragged him in.
We walked straight into the office. A middle aged woman looked up from her novel at us. I smiled. She remained her grave expressions.
'Can we meet Shruthi Thakur?' asked Varun as I told him to.
'Who are you?' she asked back, her voice as serious as her look.
'I'm her brother,' he said, this time imitating her. She checked her register,checked it again. 'You're really her brother?' she asked doubtfully.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean you claim to be her brother and you don't know that she went back to her house five days ago?'
'Huh?' he looked at me puzzled.
'Hahaha,' I laughed, 'actually we are coming from Hyderabad and ahh... wanted to... surprise her but we ourselfs got surprised,' I mouthed whatever came to my mind.
'We'll leave now,' said varun and we rushed out.
'Hey wait,' we heard someone calling. 'Don't look back, keep walking,' said Varun, but it was too late as I already stopped and turned back. I saw a girl coming towards us. Her brown eyes were as sharp as her voice.
'You're Shruthi's brother?' she asked .
'Not me!' I exclaimed,'he is.'
'No way,' she snapped.
'Yea,' said Varun.
'Why?' I chipped in to make Varun unheard.
'Be'coz I know her brothers. I've met them,' she said and our hearts jumped into our mouths. We looked at each other, baffled. 'But who are you?' I dared to ask.
'I'm Tanuja. Her room-mate and her best friend,' she stood folding her arms aggressively narrowing her eyes.
Varun moved forward and told her everything from my following her to coming here.
She looked at me as she heard Varun. I felt uncomfortable; no girl looked at me for so long. Slowly her look turned soft and her eyes moist.
'You should've talked to her that day,' she said, 'you had better chance then.'
'I'll talk to her now, I mean, I'll go to her home-town, Delhi.'
'It'll be of no use,' she said
'I didn't get you?'
'You can never get her.'
'Why?' I said, but my words were hardly audible.
'She is dead!' she said between her sob, 'She committed suicide that day!'
I felt giddy and dumped myself on the bench near to me. I held my head and looked above,'Why?' I said under my breath.
Tanuja stood against me after some time, she looked composed and so was I. 'I didn't tell anyone here about her death,'she sat beside me, 'everyone knew about her affair and I didn't want anyone to...'
'I understand,' I interrupted her sensing hesitation in her voice.
'Her take this. It is the only thing I have of her,' she said handing me a diary.
'I want you to keep this,' she said, 'its Shruthi's diary.'
I was in the railway station that night, holding her diary, going back to where I have come from.
She gave her life to someone who never loved her and the one who loved her like anything just owns her memories....!!!
