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I agree. There was a day when me and my grandmother disliked each other but now she’s all the time worried for me and vice versa. She’s aging, but even then, she doesn't stop being stressed about my future. I enter her room after knocking on the door. Daadi is curled up in her recliner, reading some holy book. I'm still not used to seeing her wearing the thick spectacles she's been sporting recently. The moment she sees me, Daadi puts the book away.
“Aarav? I am so delighted to see you here. Come here, my boy.”
Her eyes well up with tears by the time I reach out and sit down in front of her, resting my head on her lap. Five years back if anyone had told me I would be so affectionate to her, I would have killed that person because at that time the only thing I had in abundance for my grandmother, was my anger and hatred.
“Oh boy, what have you done to yourself?” she sobs, stroking my hair.
I don't say anything, just close my eyes and absorb the love and affection she has to offer. No idea how long I stay like that with Daadi rubbing my head until she speaks.
“Is she really our Jhanvi?”
My eyes shoot open. How does she know about Khushi Thakur? When I raise my head to meet her eyes, she sighs.
“Mohit informed me. And I've been wanting to see her since the day he did. When I'm so eager to meet her, I can only imagine what you're going through.”
Words choke in my throat.
“If you even have one percent of intuition that she is your Jhanvi, don’t stop pursuing her, Aarav,” Daadi’s demand astounds me. “Tell me about her. Did you meet her again? Did you try to find out about her past?”
I never expected Daadi to agree with my suspicions about Khushi being Jhanvi, but now that she has, I tell her everything. I share with Daadi how I’ve been stalking her, about Akash finding her past life and how I am confident that in a few days I’ll get a clear picture if I am right in my stand. Daadi patiently hears it all and then cups my face.
“I don’t know, Daadi but all of this feels terrible. On one hand, I'm feeling restless at the prospect of meeting another woman who gives me the same vibes as Jhanvi, and on the other, I'm worried. What if she is not Jhanvi? What will I do then? How will I-”
I pause to swallow the painful lump of tears formed in my throat.
“I know, my boy. I know things might not be in your favor right now but that’s life. If you don’t fight for your rights, who will? I have full faith God cannot be so cruel with you and Aarvi. I have faith he is soon going to shower love and peace in abundance in your lives again and this time forever. Trust me.”
She kisses my forehead while I grip her wrists tight as she does that. This one gesture of hers, and her words give me the strength I need to continue fighting for what I think is mine. And it won’t end until I have her.Again.
***************
A week later I fly to Singapore with Akash because we have got another clue that could help us know more about Khushi Thakur and that’s about her best friend, Sakshi Turani. She stays in Singapore with her family for the past one year and Akash's found that despite being Khushi's best friend, they haven't communicated much in the last two years. That raises our suspicions even further. Fortunately, one of Akash's acquaintances was a mutual friend of Sakshi's, and we arranged this brief meeting with her to learn more about Khushi Thakur.
We press the doorbell of her apartment, hoping when we leave this place, we have enough evidence in our favor. A woman in her mid-thirties opens the door and Akash quickly introduces himself.
“Akash Sen,” he introduces. “Rohit’s friend.”
“Oh yes. Rohit informed me. Please come inside.”
We take a seat on the couch and she asks us for tea or coffee. I settle down for coffee while Akash makes small talk to her about how he knows Rohit and later he introduces me too as one of his friends.
“Nice meeting you both,” Sakshi smiles. “You said you wanted to speak to me about Khushi?”
“Yes,” Akash nods and turns to me. “Actually, Aarav happened to meet Khushi in Mumbai last month and..”
“And she didn’t recognize him, right?” she cuts his words.
I glance at Akash and then to Sakshi to elaborate on that. We were here to know about Khushi’s past life but seems like there was more Sakshi could offer.
“Yea,” I instantly nod. “She.. she didn’t recognize me.” I use that line as bait to get the details.
“Of course, she wouldn’t. Not her fault. She lost her memories after that accident. In fact, after that accident, Khushi and my friendship also took a turn. She doesn't speak to me much unlike before. It’s like we have lost track of each other now.”
Accident? My heart flutters processing that information.
“What kind of accident?” I inquire. “Car accident?”
“No, not a car accident. Khushi fell down from stairs and see how cruel fate is. She lost all her memories since then.”
