Weird and Wonderful

Chapter-19

Present Year

Saarthak read the E-mail again. Yes, it was exactly the same as his secretary had told him. Sweat was trickling down his forehead. He had read the message twenty times hoping to dissect each nuance of the language and decipher the hidden meaning of each word. Who the hell was this Swasti Khare? He had never heard this name before and he was sure that he had nothing to do with that girl or woman- whoever was she. Why was this Swasti girl so hell bent on destroying his life? What did she want? Money, fame by making a controversial claim or simply she was kind of a person who took great pleasure in sabotaging the success of others.

It was not very difficult for Saarthak to track Swasti. When he first saw Swasti, he thought that he was at wrong address. How can an innocent girl like her think of blackmailing somebody? Saarthak was struck by the beauty of the girl. She was the only living person who he felt drawn towards. Her petty frame was rather cute and her messy hair had its own story to tell. She was so much like Miyoko- her cuteness, her innocence and the lost expression on her face reminded of his teenage crush. He should hate that girl who was trying to ruin his career. But instead he could not help the attraction which he was feeling for that strange girl.

As Saarthak was riding his bike, the cool breeze seemed to whisper secrets to him. After a long time, he felt like shouting with joy and thanking his life for the beautiful feeling that the past moments bestowed upon his timid heart. He was experiencing pure joy after seeing that girl- the same pure joy which he had felt when he first played the tune of Memories on Casio. Perhaps that was what the great poet John Keats meant when he said that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Saarthak felt that all the pain he had suffered in the past was a dark night which he had to face before he could experience the euphoria. He was glad that his attempts to dispel the feeling of attraction towards Swasti had failed.

Saarthak reached the publisher's office. He was sure that he had a great day ahead until he had seen a familiar face in the office.

For a moment, Saarthak felt bad about Shubham. Giving others pain was not something a sensitive person like Saarthak could enjoy. But then he remembered what Shubham had done to him years ago and he was feeling very pleased with what he had done.

Year - 2008

"Please leave me. I promise I would never come in your path," Saarthak screamed. His hands were tied with a piece of cloth. His legs were also tied with a rope.

"You would not be able to stand in anyone's path, after what I will do with your knees," Shubham smirked. He then stepped his one shoe-clad foot on Saarthak's right knee and then carefully balancing himself, by putting his hands on the shoulders of his friends, he put his another shoe-clad foot on Saarthak's left knee.

"Please," Saarthak pleaded.

"Why are you always a spoilsport, Saarthak? The fun has just begun. Right, guys?" Shubham said. His friends started laughing. Then clutching their shoulders tightly, Shubham started jumping on Saarthak's knees.

"Please, stop!" Tears were rolling down Saarthak's face. But no one had any mercy on him.

Present Day

Yes, revenge was indeed sweet, Saarthak thought, as he saw Shubham walking out of the office with his head hung low. Shubham deserved what he got and now the feeling of euphoric love which had filled Saarthak's heart earlier was replaced by feeling pride over the victory of revenge.

But love is stronger than revenge. It did not let the tenant named vengeance reside in its home for long. It was a fierce struggle among three forces for conquering the territory of Saarthak's heart: the haughty revenge, the cunning fear and the noble love. Finally love won, at least for a single night. Saarthak's soul was filled with the warm sunshine of love. But fear had its own weapons called seeds of doubt which could make the fertile land of heart barren. And though love had won in that night's battle, but the war was still not over.