White Roses

I cannot believe it, it feels like yesterday that we shared tiffin for the first time. Time drifted so fast, I had never imagined that we would be meeting this future. My vision clouded because of tears as the memories of the time we lived together flashed. I kneeled to his cold body that was covered with white sheets and flowers. I looked at his wife, Shivani, who was sitting on another side with their a-year-old child. Life has been so unjust to them, especially to Shivani. I patted her shoulder consoling her.

"When I thought everything was on the right track, I lost everything. Why does this have to happen with me only, Ayan?", she sobbed.

"Don't think that you have lost everything, you have your son. Think about him, he needs you".

"Can you please take care of him for a while? I don't want him to be around", she said looking at her crying son.

I nodded, picking him up in my embrace. I took him to a place with a lighter atmosphere. In a corner, I saw Ryan seated on a couch.

I sat beside him with the baby.

"This is beyond someone's imagination", I mumbled.

He remained silent. Earlier he used to be the loudest in our group but in these two years, he has changed a lot. now He is always lost in his thoughts and hardly interacts with anyone.

"Life has been so unjust with Shivani..."

"It would have been better if she had Arohi by her side but it was her who wanted Arohi to die", he retorted.

I didn't say anything after that. He hasn't got over it yet, it's useless to say anything.

Later we joined the family giving a shoulder to the open casket.

At the cemetery, I spotted someone. They must have invited him too but I was not expecting him to come.

"Long time no see, Gaurav," I approached him.

He didn't answer and walked away.

Arohi- her finger had a ring- white roses- Gaurav on a hospital bed- a car-

What do these visions have to mean now? Last time I saw Dev with flowers and a car it ended up here. Is something going to happen with Gaurav too?

"Gaurav wait!", I called him out.

He didn't stop. I chased him and pulled him by his shoulder.

"Please don't do this, we all missed you," I said, almost crying.

"Don't miss me, please don't follow me," he screamed.

"Why are you saying that? Aren't we best friends?", I peeped into his eyes.

"I am not your best friend, I am the one who killed them", he pushed me to the ground and left.

What does that mean? Why did he say that?

I followed him to his car. He looked back at me with guilt-filled eyes and got into his car. Before I could stop him he speeded his car. I got into my car and speeded following him. Our cars crushed the dried white roses that were wasted on the thoroughfare. I chased him until he stopped at the seashore. He got out of his car and started running to the diving board. I knew he couldn't swim. I pursued him, calling him out. He didn't stop or turn back, I climbed the diving platform behind him. I tried to catch him as we reached the same level but he bolted on board and jumped into the sea. I jumped after him to save him.

I flashed into the water surface. I felt an unusual feeling while looking for him underwater. His eyes were shut and he was fading. I caught his hand pulling him closer. I tried swimming out of the water body but I was freezing. Sudden nausea made me unconscious.