August 4, 2011
She is crying, all her dreams shattered in a fraction of a second. Tears roll down her cheeks. She is least bothered about the people standing there and watching her. Her long black hair is all tangled. Suddenly she stops crying, wipes her face and starts walking. Somebody is calling her from behind, but all she can do is walk on. She looks at the envelope she is carrying and again she feels tears rolling down her cheek. She keeps the envelope in her bag, wipes her face and stops. When she feels better she turns around to see the caller. It's Arul. She just stands there, staring at him, a million emotions running through her. When she cannot take it anymore she just runs to him and hugs him. Arul is startled by her action but is content to hold her tightly as if he never wants to let her go. He fails to understand her.
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Nikitha was quite determined that she would get the job. She was a topper in her class. She was a computer freak and that's why she had taken computer science in BE. As the only daughter her parents had taken extra care of her.
As expected she got the job and started working in Mangalore for a famous software company AmYssY. She was hardworking and a very determined gal. It took her only a few years to reach her goal. Now she was earning in lacs. When she turned 25 her parents started looking out for a guy for her.
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Arul was a doctor. He did his MBBS from Manglore's famous St Martha Hospital. As he was smart and intelligent it was clear from the very beginning that he was going to be a famous doctor one day. He didn't disappoint his parents. He had an elder sister who was settled down in Norway.
Arul was now 27 and his parents were searching a girl for him.
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Nikitha and Arul were destined to meet, and one day, they did.
On her way to office one fine morning, Nikitha met with an accident and was taken to hospital where Arul was working. And that day Arul was in charge of casualty. Nikitha was severely injured and was unconscious. The first time Arul set his eyes on Nikitha he was under her spell. In her unconscious state she looked like a goddess. It was love at first sight. He took good care of her. When Nikitha opened her eyes she stared into the eyes of a stranger. He came closer, held her hand and said "I'll make sure your parents know that you are awake."
Nikitha was shocked. She wanted to ask many questions but heavy slumber took over her. The next time she opened her eyes she found her mom crying. She could hear the same stranger consoling her mother. She just stared at the stranger's broad back. When he turned around she almost held her breath. Really handsome, she thought. He was very tall and had a good personality. She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them the stranger was leaning over her. His hot breath tickled her. She just stared at those jet black eyes. It's only when her mom called her name that she realized that they were not alone.
Nikitha was in hospital for four days. Everyday Arul would visit Nikitha. Everyday he would get flowers for her. On the last day of Nikitha's stay in hospital Arul proposed. He was intelligent, smart, rich and understanding so neither Nikitha nor her parents had any strong reason to refuse.
With their parents' permission they started going around. Soon, they were engaged. First kiss, first touch, first fight, first gift - they experienced everything. They knew that they were made for each other. Both were madly in love.
And then, Arul left for the USA for a year. Nikitha missed him a lot, but waited in patience. In between, she faced some health problem. Her injured knee began hurting her. When she needed Arul the most he was far away busy with his work. But everyday he would call and enquire about her.
On the day of Arul's arrival he was over the moon, excited at the prospect of seeing his sweetheart. But when his plane landed in Mangalore airport there was disappoint waiting for him. Nikitha hadn't come to welcome him. He was upset. He called her but there was no response.
He knew something was wrong. He went to her house but she refused to see him. He was sure that something was bothering his darling. He didn't force her, instead he waited. He was sure some day soon Nikitha would tell him everything.
Days passed but there was no reply from Nikitha. One day she came to the hospital to see him and returned the engagement ring. In response to Arul's persistent queries all she said was, "I am not meant for you, you deserve someone better than me". Stunned, Arul called her back but she didn't answer. He tried talking to her parents but in vain.
Arul was depressed as his beloved had left him without any specific reason. He lived a lonely life now. He lost interest in everything. He spent most of his time in the hospital. His parents were worried about him.
One day, he was just leaving the operation theater when he saw somebody familiar. He knew it was Nikitha. He could recognize her long black hair anywhere. He tried calling her, but she didn't stop. She kept on walking. When she felt he was running out of patience she stopped. She stared at him. Before he knew what was happening she was in his arms. He was happy. He knew that her place was in his arms. But before he could think further, she kissed his cheek and said "It's a final goodbye. I found someone while you were not here. All I can say is sorry. Forgive me if you can."
Astonished beyond words, he looked at her fading figure, and collapsed on a bench close by. The love of his life was gone. He felt cheated. He wanted to ask her where he had gone wrong. What made her fall for another guy when he was in love with her. That night he din't know how many bottles of whiskey he emptied.
After that incident he happened to see Nikitha with a guy and his final hope was gone. Rarely, he would go to his big empty house. Nikitha's thoughts forever haunted him. He tried to spend most of his time with patients.
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It's been three years now. Arul has married and has a kid. He has shifted from Mangalore to Bangalore. He loves his wife. Sometimes he does think about Nikitha. He longed to hear from her. He is quiet famous now. He spends most of his time with his wife and kid.
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He was taking his usual rounds in the ward when a patient caught his attention. The Patient's back was to him. He took some more steps when the patient turned. He couldn't believe what he say. Nikitha was there on the bed. Her eyes were closed. He stared at those eyes which had once captured his heart. He approached her. When she opened her eyes she found the familiar stranger staring at her. She didn't say a word. Arul couldn't speak. He stood there and watched her.
He picked the report lying on the bedside table and flipped through its pages. He was shocked. Nikitha was still unmarried and was suffering from bone cancer. She was in the last stage. He bent and held her and yelled, "Is this the reason you left me??? Damn it!!! Couldn't you tell me???? Why the heck didn't you tell me???"
Hearing the commotion Nikitha's mom came to the ward. She looked at her daughter and then at Arul. Nikitha just smiled and said, "What would you have done Arul? Fight with death?" She was crying. He couldn't see her in that condition. He just held her tight. She said, "Don't make me weak with your last hug. I have survived till now." Arul tightened his grip. He knew he had made a mistake when he let her go.
Arul visited Nikitha everyday. He didn't tell his wife anything. He knew that he should have, but never had enough courage.
Nikitha's condition worsened. She was shifted to the ICU. Arul was there next to her holding her hand. All she could do was look at him. Nikitha was fighting for every breath. She held his hand tightly as if it were the only source of hope. She closed her eyes for a final time and never opened them again.
Arul was crying. He still held Nikitha's hand. He stared at those closed eyes which had once captured his heart.
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