Emptiness - last part (a very beautiful story ends here) Working Women Hostel, 8 P.M. “Rachit you are a nice guy but it is not possible for me to say yes to your proposal,” Radhika said with tears in her eyes. “What? But why? Is there something wrong with me? Tell me, I will try to improve on that but don’t take your decision so quickly,” Rachit said hastily. “It’s not like that. What do you know about me?” “Everything which is needed to love you” “Life is not a film. You don’t know anything about me.” “Then tell me. I am all ears to it.” “Rachit, I have hidden something from you.” “What?” “You once asked me that why I have shifted to Manali from Noida and the reasons of my mood swings, why I am scared of commitments and why I have lost faith in relationships!” “Yes” “Because my engagement was called off by my fiancée just before 15 days of our marriage.” “But why?” “Because I was raped,” with this she burst into tears. “What?” Rachit was speechless for a moment. Then he hugged her and asked her to sit down and relax. “Radhika I know it will be difficult for you to think about all those things again but...” “That you want to know what happened,” she said interrupting Rachit. “Yes” “I was madly in love with Nikhil. We were childhood buddies and were pillars of strength for each other. I never imagined marrying someone else. It was me who proposed him and finally we were about to marry after a very long relationship.” “Please continue...” “It was very late and we were coming after watching a late night show at Nirman Vihar, Delhi. We decided to take an auto for Noida. He in the name of short-cut took us to a very narrow lane and suddenly stopped it at a secluded place near Mayur Vihar- I. Suddenly two of his partners came out from nowhere. He asked Nikhil for his wallet and watch. Nikhil tried to protest and all 3 of them started beating him. Instead of watching this helplessly, I slapped of one of the guy and tried to protect my love. Then they hit him on his head and to teach me a lesson, they gang raped me in front of him.” “Next day, when I opened my eyes I found myself in the hospital. I saw my parents standing outside my room, and the first thing I asked them was about the well-being of Nikhil. They told me that he has got stitches but has been discharged. Then I asked them where is he and his parents but all I got in reply was a long silence. Next day I was told by my parents that Nikhil has cancelled the marriage. I tried his number but he never picked up. Then one day I gathered courage to go to his house, and I was informed that he can’t marry a raped girl...” “Radhika you were raped while saving him...” Radhika was crying bitterly. Maybe those tears were held up for a very long time and they were the reason of her empty eyes. “Radz it was not your mistake,” Rachit tried to console her. “You know Rachit, a raped girl is raped everyday by the society. I was the most cheerful girl of my group. I used to live life to fullest and had a strong faith in true love. No one can ever understand what I have gone through. These black spots are due to insomnia. I suffer from mood swings.I was never like this. I lost my smile and power to express myself. I am still in shock of that day. I lost confidence in myself and used to contain myself in a room. I was tired of sympathies around me. Even if I wanted to forget, people don’t let me forget my past. Nikhil got married to someone else and finally I decided to leave that place permanently. I got a job and started living here anonymously. I have thought that these small kids will help me to revive from that trauma. I had difficulty in concentrating and doing daily chores. But I worked hard, fought with Ghosts of my Past and finally recovered. But I have lost faith in men. But then you came, a simple and loving personality. You brought back my smile. You brought me outside my 4 walls of hostel and I started living a dream which I am not allowed to live.” “Radhika, I love you.” “Please stop, I can’t love you. I don’t deserve you. I am not a virgin. My physical wounds have healed but my mental wounds can never heal.” “We will make it work Radhika...” “Please leave Rachit. You deserve someone better” “Radhika...” “Please leave. I have already said that I don’t love you.” Rachit again cancelled his program and didn’t quit. For next few days, he waited for her at their meeting place but she never came. He tried her number, but she didn’t respond. Then finally he wrote a letter and gave it to her roommate to give it to her. Radhika, I don’t know whether you love me or not but I am sure of one thing that you have at least loved me as a friend. It is the duty of a true friend to guide his friend. Stop blaming yourself for the act of some animals. You told me that you have recovered but you haven’t. I have seen a Radhika in you who is free flowing like a water of the stream, who is fresh like the chirping of the birds and who is holy as water of Ganga. Yes, you are pure. That act hasn’t made you even a bit of impure. Stop cursing yourself for the lust of one person and weakness of other. You were brave that you fought for your love. He was weak. He didn’t have guts to face you; in fact he will live his whole life with a curse that he failed to protect the girl who loved him madly. It requires a lot of courage to face people, and you have done that. You are living an independent life and standing on your own feet. My only problem with you is you are not allowing the real Radhika to come out. I want to see you smile again. I want you to trust people and fall in love again. I am not asking you to love me but I just want you not to break your trust in true love. If you don’t start living your life again, you will never forget the pain and memories associated with it. Now the time has come to make new memories, sweet memories, to love someone and get love in return. If you are not happy with my stay here, I will leave. In fact, I am leaving tomorrow for Delhi and from there I will leave for Bijnor. But it doesn’t mean I am going away from your life. I will always be there for you whenever you need me. Don’t think that I am saying all these things out of sympathy. I have always respected you for what you are. You are an amazing human being who has forgotten how to smile. If not for me but at least for yourself, do try once to dress and carry yourself like old Radhika. I want you to love yourself. My best wishes are with you, and I hope someday you will call me and reconnect with me. You know why? Because this life is too long and we will definitely come across in each other’s path in the future. Love Rachit *** Next Day Rachit had packed his bags and was all set to leave Manali but he was taking along with him all the good memories associated with Radhika. His cab was waiting outside and as soon as he came outside his hotel he saw someone standing outside the gate. It was Radhika with Kohl in her eyes, red saree and a delightful smile. This made him excited and he moved towards her. “So you are all set to go?” Radhika asked him “Yes” “You confessed something during our last meeting. Wouldn’t you like to know the answer of your question?” Radhika said with her old smile when she used to enjoy life. “Ofcourse” he said with full excitement. “So Mr. Gupta my answer is yes. I love you too. You have made these 10 days, the best days of my life (or memorable for me) and I want to create many such beautiful moments in the rest of my life. I am truly, deeply and madly in love with you and will love you this way in the future too. Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?” She proposed him. “I would love to do that.” With this, they hugged each other and Rachit asked his cab driver to wait for an hour. Well now instead of one, two passengers were going and one was yet to pack her bags. This is not the end of this story but a new beginning of their life. ***************
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 10:42:32 +0000
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