Another Half Of Me - Chapter 26

Siddha’s family had already jumped into the marriage preparations. But, it was Sandhya who realised that there was no one to take care of the details from Roshni’s side. So, one day leaving all work, she hijacked Roshni’s house for the entire day to plan out everything.

Siddha couldn’t help but thank her this time wholeheartedly. Roshni looked happy as ever with all that pampering and he was overjoyed to see her happy and contented face.

“I have got everything here in the list. But what about your wedding dress?” Sandhya asked looking at Roshni.

Completely clueless, she looked at Siddha, who shrugged his shoulders not knowing what to say.

Shaking her head irritably, Sandhya just got up and picked up her bag. As she started to leave, she said in an authoritative tone to Roshni, “Meet me day after tomorrow in CP and I’ll take care of it.”

Roshni couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. Her wedding dress! Wow!

Siddha looked at her and felt elated. He sat down next to her and pulled her to him. Roshni hugged him hard. He was the best thing that had happened to her. Tipping her head a little, she kissed him and Siddha answered her kiss with promises of more happiness to come.

There romantic tryst was interrupted by the ringing of Siddha’s phone. Reluctantly, he let go of Roshni and answered the call. Although, he was not speaking much but she felt that something was wrong. Siddha’s forehead was bunched with worried lines. She looked at him with questioning eyes but Siddha just smiled at her shaking his head. Kissing her forehead, he just left without a backward glance.

****************

Karan and Amit met him outside his cabin as Siddha reached his office. Sid was already inside trying his best to get in touch with the concerned people.

“Karan, how can this be?” Siddha asked trying to analyse the situation.

Someone had reported to the authorities in Bangalore that Rajput Construction was using d-graded material. Even the tests proved the same.

Sid spoke briskly on the phone, sighed hard and kept the phone.

“That was Balaramji. He is very pissed. He wants you there,” he said gesturing to Siddha.

Sitting down on the chair, Siddha knew something was wrong. They have never used any d-graded material. Looking at Sid, he realised that he himself was the only person who can handle this. Balaramji was a tricky character and he may just cancel the contract if Siddha did not go.

But what about Roshni? He did not want to leave her alone. He has to talk to her. He picked up his mobile and dialled her number but disconnected. Not on the phone: this has to be said in person.

*************

Roshni waited for Siddha to come back. She had tried calling him couple of times but either the phone was busy or Sid had picked up. Worried sick, Roshni was sitting outside on the porch when Siddha arrived.

Looking at her, Siddha knew she was tensed. Taking her hand in his, he guided her inside the house. Once she was seated on the couch, he started to explain.

“Baby, I have to leave for Bangalore tomorrow. There is some problem with the material and Balaramji needs me there. I know it is not right time to leave you like this, but seriously sweetheart I don’t have a choice. Please understand,” he said kissing her hand every now and then.

“That’s it?” she asked. When Siddha nodded, she started to laugh. “My god, Siddha, I have been so worried.”

Siddha smiled and hugged her. “Don’t you worry about me. Everybody will be here. You just go, get everything sorted and come back to me soon,” Roshni said snuggling closer to him.

At night, Siddha reached for her again and again, and every time Roshni matched his feverish passion with equal intensity. Somehow, even their bodies understood what 7 days of separation would do to them.

Sandhya was there when Siddha was leaving for Bangalore. She had promised to stay over at Roshni’s till Siddha came back. Somehow that reassured him. He looked at Roshni one last time before getting inside the car. 7 days without her would be torture.

Roshni kept on looking till the car reached the end of the street. 7 days without him by her side would be impossible.

Sandhya placed at hand on her shoulder and Roshni felt good to have her stay over. Atleast with all the marriage preparations, she would be occupied.

*************

Siddha sat inside his private jet and looked at his phone. Soon it would be time to switch it off. He wanted to hear her voice. He dialled her number looking at her picture on the screen. She looked so beautiful. He spoke as soon as the line got through.

“I miss you!”

“Hey, Siddha, it’s me, Sandhya. Roshni is in the washroom.”

Disappointed, Siddha exchanged some pleasant words with Sandhya and then disconnected. God, Roshni how am I going to survive a whole week without you?

**************

Roshni dialled his number the moment she was out of the washroom. But it said switched off. The flight must have taken off. He will call once he reaches, her heart reassured her. Looking at his picture on the phone screen, she felt so alone. Siddha, please come back soon. It’s hard to stay without you even for a minute let alone 7 days.

Even though, Siddha had not called her after he had reached Bangalore, she did not mind. He had sent her a message informing about his arrival and that he would be very busy. She understood, but still felt a little disappointed.

Sandhya took care of her like a friend should. Not leaving her alone for single minute, she started to share stories of Siddha’s college life. Roshni listened to her intently discovering him in a different manner.

One day in the morning, Sandhya sat down next to her with a cup of tea and asked, “Has Siddha told you about girls who were crazy about him in college?”

Shaking her head, Roshni laughed and urged Sandhya to continue.

“Even though I was one of his friends, but I also had a huge crush on him, she laughed and said. “Among all the girls in the college, there was one who did not have a crush on Siddha, but she loved him.”

Roshni felt herself stiffening the moment Sandhya spoke the words. Love?

“Surbhi,” Sandhya continued. “Siddha loved her like crazy. They co-ordinated their classes together, breaks, everything. They were practically inseparable. We were so jealous. It lasted about a year and then the unthinkable happened. Lina, a foreign exchange student joined our college and Siddha fell for her. Surbhi was heartbroken. She tried her best to convince Siddha to come back but he never did. And, then one night, she threatened Siddha with her life.”

Turning towards Roshni, Sandhya said with sadness in her tone, “Believe me; I had never seen Siddha that angry. He went berserk. He caught her arm and told her to do what she wanted. The next morning we found Surbhi in a pool of blood. She had slit her wrist. To avoid publicity, Siddha’s grandfather just whisked him out of college for some months till the matter died down.”

Roshni’s ears refused to believe what Sandhya had said. All she wanted to do right now was to call Siddha and confirm, but she couldn’t. Biting her lip, she asked Sandhya to leave so she could think alone for some time.

On her way out, Sandhya looked at Roshni and said, “Don’t let what happened to me and Surbhi happen to you. I know, Siddha. He can be very ruthless when he wants something.”

Roshni closed her eyes and suddenly remembered how he had reacted when her landlord had tried to evict her. That anger had scared her.

No matter what, she will find out about Surbhi. Picking up her phone, she dialled Sudha, Amit’s wife number. She would know.

It had been an hour that Roshni had spoken to Sudha. Even though Sudha had not confirmed the fact that Siddha loved Surbhi or not but it was true that she had committed suicide because of Siddha.

Sandhya’s warning kept on echoing in her mind till she fell asleep. But, in her subconscious, she kept on picturing Siddha and Surbhi together with his hands drenched in her blood.

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