Kraant

Chapter 11

"It's about Anupriya di."

Shahneel's previously laid back demeanor shifted abruptly. Her eyes turned monotonous. Her mind dived back into those last memories of her late best friend.

Nowadays, she tried to avoid any thoughts regarding Anu, finding solace in distractions and busying herself with tasks to keep the memories at bay.

However, at the mere mention of her name, it resurrected back the unbearable feeling of sorrow and longing that had been shadowing her for a week. She attempted to ignore it, but how could one when the cloak of sadness was wrapped around her shoulders.

"It's okay, if you are not comfortable talking about her, yet. We can come back again later." Saying that Ishan stood up to leave, only to be stopped by Shahneel asking, "Why are you interested?"

"To give her a memorial ceremony at our school. Sadly, one of our classmates was also murdered. So, we thought why not hold a ceremony together for both of them. This is the least we can do for her." Ishan explained.

"Di, we understand how difficult it is for you to discuss her. If it weren't for these circumstances, we wouldn't have sought your help. Nobody knows her better than you, so, we felt it would be easier. But if you are not comfortable talking about her, we understand. It's just that we felt that the memorial ceremony could honor her memory, even if a little." 

Shahneel let out a sad sigh. Her tensed posture lessened. After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke.

"Alright. So, what do you want to know about her?"

"You can begin with her childhood. If there's anything we need more details on, we'll ask further," Ishan said as he settled into the chair facing her.

 Nodding her head, she took a deep breath then began, "Anu and I had met when we were in the kindergarten. She was raised by her maternal aunt as her parents got divorced and no one fought for her custody. So, her aunt decided to give her the childhood, and the love and care her mother couldn't provide. Despite feeling unwanted by her mother, she still attended her cremation when she passed away. She was and will remain my closest friend till my very last moment. When her aunt forced us apart, Anu vowed to live beside me, a promise she fulfilled by purchasing the house next to mine. I was ecstatic when I found out that she had finally gotten her dream job of that of a museum curator. She even worked part timely as a waitress in the cafe of that old lady who was kind enough to give her work in her rough days, despite her well-paying job."

"Can you tell me more about her job as a museum curator?" Ishan questioned.

"It had been her dream job to learn and teach about history. She was always fascinated about Indian history, claiming that it was as intriguing and mysterious as that of the European history. Indian people just tend to forget their cultural history and love to recite others. She believed that we could revive it by developing our museums and archaeological sites. Hence, her determination to be a historian. When the ancient vase was unearthed, she had been so happy that her project was successful."

"Do you mean the Kraant vase that had been recently discovered?"

"Why yes, she worked as the Assistant Director there. She called me everyday to let me know about the  daily updates. She was on cloud nine when she finally solved the ancient puzzle about the horns. I thought that nothing could dampen her spirits but after a few days she started to get restless. She ignored my texts and remained passive whenever we met. I blamed her crush because maybe he mistreated her unknowingly that resulted her sad attitude. But-" She halted, realising that she had dived in too deep into her life.

"But what?" Ishan pressured.

"I don't think you need to announce her private life publically. So, you don't have to know that." She raised her previously bowed head.