chapter 34

EpilogueBack to Year 2005 – After CollegeNot sure why, but every time I took note of my surroundings, I found myself sitting in the same spot where my Pratham had died. Somehow, I couldn’t even remember how many days it had been since he left… but it felt like an eternity.This place, this particular curb, was luring me… it had an unknown hold over me. It felt like a tethered connection to my late husband. Maybe because it was here he had drawn his last breath. Or maybe because he had declared his love for me for the very last time… I wasn’t sure what it was…The night had fallen deep, and there was an eerie silence around. But I had no strength to leave. I wanted to curl here and sleep until I finally found my peace. However, life wasn’t willing to give me any kind of solace at all.Because lurking in the shadows, I could see the silhouette of a man. The way he was standing – as if set in stone – it felt he was waiting for the right time to make his move. It didn’t bother me though. I had no fight left in me. If he planned to steal from me or rape me, he was in for a treat. He moved slowly, and as I heard the rustles of his footsteps, I closed my eyes to receive the final blow of life… but nothing came. Instead, he sat next to me and spoke, “Do you know how many strings I had pulled to glamorize your career?” I stiffened at the voice. For a second, I felt I was imagining him. Hallucinating again. But as he continued, I realized he indeed was there. A chill ran down my spine. “I hoped that you won’t be shocked to finally meet me, but you are… Why? I know you have seen me a couple of times in the past few years. Or did you forget me completely?”  he sounded disappointed. I looked sideways at him, utterly horrified. It was Dev! I couldn’t believe my eyes… Was he really here? Out of all the days possible? Why?“What are you doing here anyway?” he asked with an indifferent look in his eyes. It was clear that he was not here to console or sympathize, instead, he was here to take advantage of my situation. Hatred enveloped me, but I couldn’t find the strength to react. I just glared at him. “I have missed you, you know… all these years,” he spoke after a tentative pause. Now, this was something I wasn’t expecting. “I really loved you, and you left me to die. Why, Ishana?” His words rose goosebumps all over me. I wondered what Shiva and Sarv would say to this new development! “You never loved me, did you? You just moved on after that… incident!” he asked morosely. “Do you have any idea how much that night affected us? Especially my father?”Not sure what it was – his tone, his expressions or a subtle threat in his eyes, but I felt compelled to say, “I did, I really did love you. But you know my mother…!” I stuttered. My own voice felt alienated to me. It was hoarse and rough. It had been so many days since I had even uttered a word.“Eh! It’s all in the past. I forgive you,” he grinned, though it was clear, it was not in the past.“I see you moved on… and chose him…” he pointed at the road, at the spot where my Pratham had died. His gesture reminded me of my tragedy, which I had momentarily forgotten. Suddenly I felt guilty of the fact that Dev was able to erase Pratham’s thoughts from my mind – even if for a few seconds. The realization felt like a stroke. My expressions must have said it all because he continued, “You really loved him, didn’t you?” I couldn’t answer. I had no words to express what I felt for Pratham, especially to Dev!“If you feel that you are obliged to do things for him, then you are wrong. It is I who paved your way in the fashion industry,” he sounded extremely proud. The look on my face must have transformed from tragic to startled because he sneered. “Wanna know how?” he asked, and I just gaped at him.“Well, if you insist,” he tittered, shaking his head girlishly. “Milaap is my brand, and I chose you as my model. Imagine my surprise when I saw your portfolio. I expected you to be many things, but never imagined you as a model,” he smirked at my shell-shocked expressions.“It was I who ensured you won at least two walks in your college’s fashion show. I was on the judge’s panel, but you didn’t notice me, of course!” he rolled his eyes. “And, it was I who nudged Sohail to sign you.” He had pride in his voice. His declarations regarding what all he had done for me felt like blows, one at a time.“And…” he continued with a grin that said masterstroke was yet to be delivered, “I even started a Miss India contest for you.” My mouth gaped open at his last words. Was he this powerful and influential now? “Well, given you didn’t show up at my contest, I had to cancel it. What was the use of hosting one when my star model, my Miss Mystique, was not available?” he finished, leaving me dumbfounded. His Miss Mystique!“You did see me at the Milaap’s shoot and in the fashion show’s after-party, didn’t you?” he asked, confused. “Anyways, I am glad to meet you again, despite the circumstances.” And finally, I understood who was pulling the strings of my life. A feeling of disgust and hatred started writhing inside me, but I calmed myself. It was not the right time to lash out.“Who was he to you anyway?” he pointed at the road. “Everything,” I whispered, and he laughed.“And you plan to die for him, in the same spot where he died?” he mocked. Reigning my temper, I exhaled heavily.“Well… You might want to move a little right, I heard he died over there, near that drain,” he pointed at a spot. I stared at him, horrified. I wanted to slap him, murder him but his next words just changed everything. “And why are you wasting your life on him anyway? While you were in your flight, he was shouting ‘I Love You’ to someone else. He didn’t love you, Ishana. He was just using you. Come, let’s go. Together we will find you a new road to success.” He stood up and offered me his hand.Dev knows where my Pratham had died.Dev knows what his last words were…Does it mean he was here?Does it mean Dev was involved?Was it an accident?Or was his death intentional?What really happened with my Pratham?The Slut Chronicles: ObsessedReleasing Soon…