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" There is no such thing as accident.... it is fate misnamed."
Napolean Bonaparte
March 19, 2017......
Time : 4.30 p.m.
Place : Mitali's Residence... Goregaon Mumbai...
A sunny afternoon of Sunday..... what a great time to lazy around just looking around the green lush of trees and wide stretch of grasslands around . Mitali loved the place she lived. Even though she found it very hectic to travel to the city area and her work place; the place she lived was perhaps the last green stretch , well preserved, in the city of Mumbai. She resided in the famous " Aarey Colony" of Goregaon which was home to many wild animals and beautiful birds, 5 kms away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd. She was lost in the nature's glory when suddenly she was back into the world with her mobile phone vibrating and rocking with heavy beats.
Even though irritated, the name on the screen brought back a beautiful smile on her face. Her face glistened in the sunlight and the dimples on both her cheeks added to her mesmerising beauty.
She answered the call, " Mansi..... Mansi... How are you dear?... After so much time.... " . There was complete silence on the other side... " Mansuuuu... Mansuuu... are you there? heloooowww....".
" hi....Mituu...how are you doing?" replied Mansi. " Oh come on Mansu!!!!! It is almost a year since I have heard from you. I visited your home last month but didn't find you there....Even Uncle Aunty were worried... I heard that you don't go home and stay somewhere as a PG. What is happening? Is everything alright?" asked Mitali.
" Yes Mituu, things are perfectly fine now. I will tell you everything when I meet. I was really nervous to get in touch with you. I know I have been behaving strange lately... but trust me I have recovered completely... I am back to face the world... no depression now." Mansi was breathless by the time she finished. Mitali could not control her feelings, she smiled with a bit of dampness in her eyes which projected immense satisfaction and happiness . It was the same old Mansi she knew during her school and college days. She was very happy that Mansi had finally overcome her depression and was back to rule the world again. They had a heartening talk and it felt as if they would go on and on for eternity. Mitali asked Mansi to meet up as she wanted to spend quality time with her and the venue was decided as chota kashmir nearby.
" All set then... meet you at 6.00 p.m. " Mitali ended the call with a pleasing smile on her face that gleamed into her deep brown eyes.. She was meeting her best buddy after so long... Mitali was happy that Mansi had finally overcome her 3 year long fear and guilt... But there were some questions unanswered......
She thought maybe it is better as it is.. Some questions should better remain unanswered.....she thought!!!
Mitali's mother Meera was observing her since past 10 mins. The pleasant look on Mitalis face was the assurance she had been talking to Mansi. Meera had actually seen Mitali contented and relaxed after so many days, rather months. Seeing Mitali getting activated for meeting Mansi, Meera got into the kitchen to bring her a cup of her favourite Lemon tea.
Meanwhile......
Mithali's grandma, Ratna, was gearing up for her evening ritual. It had a usual protocol which had been perpetuating persistently since 30 years or so. The ritual constituted of first lighting a diya in the house in-built temple (pooja-ghar), chanting the name of Lord Vishnu 101 times, reading the Panchanga twice a day and finally reading at least 2 pages of Bhagavad Gita. Though not an expert like Mitali's Late Grandfather in astrology, but after his death her grandma continued the daily rituals that grandpa followed, without missing it a single day. Though dedicated with regards to spirituality she was also an epitome of superstitious beliefs. Things that involved her and her family revolved around two most dangerous planets " Rahu" and " Ketu". These two always bothered Mithali according to her Grandma and that is why Mitali was always the trouble seeker in the house.
Mitali dressed up her in casuals, a smoky blue top and white coloured jeans. She immediately took out her new pair of dark blue coloured sneakers and her small navy coloured handbag and set it across her left shoulder. She was ready to step out of the house when she heard three voices simultaneously calling her name in unison
Mitaliiiii!!!!!
Mitali stopped right at the point she was , stunned!!!.
She turned back to see all the three ladies staring at each other and then at Mitali. " What was that ladies?" said Mitali with her eyes wide open. " You know you almost gave me a heartattack. Now stop staring and tell me why did you all stop me with such an intensity?". " Aree beta I had prepared your Lemon Tea and you were leaving without having it. That's why I called you. But I really don't know why the other two summoned you." said Meera. " Ok Ma. Now why did you call me Daadi?" asked Mitali with arms crossed and a raised eyebrow, demanding an answer. " Just look at your dress Mitali.... How many times have I told you not to wear anything dark blue. It is attractive to Rahu. Goodness gracious me, it's not just blue...it is smoky blue.... Om shiv shiv shiv!!!!! Have you really gone insane....... Now! Now! let me check the Panchanga.." Putting her spectacles, Ratna tried to read what was written in the Panchanga and found that the rahu kala was going to end at 6.05 P.M. " Mitali you are not going out of the house till 6.05 P.M. Mitali at this point of time had mixture of feelings.. she wanted to laugh, she wanted cry and yes she was frustrated.. " For heaven's sake daadi will you please stop it.... This is my favourite dress and I want to wear it daadi pleaseeee, please let me go Maansi will be waiting for me at Chota Kashmir and yes madam Girija" exclaimed Mitali turning to Girija" why did you call me?" Girija was their maid who was just packing up for the day for returning home. "I called you because I was going to leave and seeing you leave I felt at least I will have some company." said Girija. Meera insisted Mitali to have the tea. Mitali obliged and left with Girija in hurry ignoring the warnings of her grandmother.
Ratna's instinct somehow sensed that something was wrong. She was unsure though, was it in relation to Mitali or their entire family.
She closed her eyes and started chanting......
March 19, 2017......
Time : 6.00 p.m.
Place : Chota Kashmir.... Goregaon Mumbai..
Mitali was running late as usual. Even though Mitali Dhir was a daughter of IPS officer Vidyut Dhir she had meagre qualities as that of her father. On the other hand, Mansi was extremely punctual. She was tired of Mitali's late ventures keeping her tied up at a place wasting her time. But this time, Mansi was eagerly waiting without a trace of irritation. She had made up her mind that today she will reveal all the answers to the questions that Mitali had in her mind even if she doesn't ask for it. It was like a burden on her mind which she just wanted to dispose off. But first she wanted to enjoy the meeting with her best friend after such a long time.
Mitali finally arrived at 6.30 P.M. She looked stunningly beautiful in her smoky blue top. Mansi had grown weak as Mitali found out and had lost many pounds of weight, may be in combating with the depression, Mitali thought. Mansi couldn't wait to see her. She ran towards her greeting her with tight hugs . Both of them giggled finding the attention of people around them. They suddenly realised they are in midst of a huge crowd and got back to normal.
They thought of taking a boat ride on the lake nearby, but due to Mitali's punctuality they had lost the chance to do that. They enjoyed by sitting at the side of the lake, lost in the memories of their school and college times. They laughed, they giggled, they ate all the junk food they were always forbidden, had fun all around and wished that the day never ended. It had grown quite dark enough and suddenly they realised not many people around could be seen. Both checked their mobile phones it was almost 8.30P.M. " Gosh!!! my daadi is gonna torture me to death today....!" said Mitali. " So will my parents Mitali!!!" said Mansi with her big round eyes which looked like that of a cute fearful cat .....
They hurried on to Mitali's scooty to their place. It took almost 20-25 mins to reach their respective destinations. The heavenly place of the green stretches looked haunted during the night. The girls were always warned to reach home before dark due to the surrounding forest area. It had large number of wild animals which could pose an unknowing threat. Besides, the place was known for its creepy stories of ghosts, Tantriks and Fakirs. They usually reached home before 8 o'clock but today it was really getting late. Their mobile had no network in the area they were travelling. Mansi's mind was clogged up with the thoughts she wanted to share with Mitali but didn't know how to do that.
Finally, she mustered courage and spoke " Mitali I wanted to share something with you". Mitali turned around to ask what it was.... but the moment she turned she bumped into a stone and lost her balance. She could not restore the balance and Mansi fell in the nearby bushes whereas Mitali went a further ahead with her scooty and hit a nearby tree with luckily unnoticeable scratches on the scooty and virtually no damage done to her. She heaved a sigh of relief and the very next moment was panic stricken to find Mansi missing.
She left her scooty at that place and screamed at the top of her voice to call Mansi. The road was completely deserted with no signs of any help coming early. She was sure that Mansi would have been safe as she was also wearing the helmet. But still she could not find her....
She ran towards the place where she supposedly lost her balance and tried calling Mansi, all her efforts in vain. She ran into the bushes to find whether she has fallen there but no... no sign of Mansi. Suddenly, she heard such a loud shriek that her heart literally skipped a beat. She ran towards the sound and found Mansi standing still as a rock. She ran towards her calling her name but Mansi was still and shivering. Mitali embraced her tried to calm her down but Mansi kept on shivering.
" What is it Mansi??? What happened??? Are you hurt sweety?." Mithali checked whether the accident had traumatized her but she was blankly looking into dark space.
