True Side

Chapter 2

Deva has already arrived before me. There is a police tape all around the thing which was once a car. A tall and lean police officer comes to me and says "Mam I am Siddharth, SI Jubilee Hills . I called you an hour ago."

I nod my head in agreement. He says "I request you to come and try to identify the body."

I go behind him to see what is left of Rishi. I let out a shout looking at the burnt corpse which was supposed to be the man who was going to marry me. Siddharth shows me his burnt wallet which has his driving license. It had Rishi's photo and his details.

I sink to the ground my eyes gone blur due to the tears filled in it. I get flashes of Rishi before me. I feel pain in my chest holding back all the tears from bursting out.

I could feel a hand behind me. It is Deva. He whispers in my ear "Nitya, come and sit in the car. I know you will break down."

His voice didn't have the cheerfulness it had before and felt very flat. I slowly get to my feet almost trembling. I move towards the car with heavy steps and try to be as normal as possible.

I open the car door and sit there. I see people shifting, ambulance coming, shifting the body and police men buzzing around. I notice Deva also standing on the other side of the car, his head on the top, probably crying too.

After a while mom and dad also arrive. Dad starts talking to Siddharth while mom steps into the car and sits beside me. I bury my head in her shoulder and cry out.

Rishi's funeral is done and the decorations done for marriage were being removed. I sit in my room, looking at my hands, decorated with mehendi. I try to distract myself by sleeping or getting engrossed in some work which seems to work sometimes but not always. I resume my job in my dad's office. I seem to be getting better but not totally fine. I am still broken and yet to be fixed when I get a new problem in my life.

I return from office when I see dad and Inspector Siddharth sitting there, probably waiting for me. Siddharth has helped a lot in the case and my family members started treating him as a family.

I smile and sit beside my dad. My dad says "So Nitya, Rishi's case is closed it seems, Siddharth was telling me. And I even wanted to tell you something important."

He pauses. I ask "Is it something related to my marriage?"

Dad nods and says "Yes, it's about your marriage. I am thinking that you can marry Siddharth. He is well settled, a good SI waiting for promotion and a nice person. He even helped us when we needed help. So, the choice is yours."

I look at Siddharth and my dad. Siddharth says "Nitya it's your life, I am ready to marry you. Take your own time."

I get up and go into my room. Is it correct marrying someone else within fifteen days of my fiancée's death?

COMING UP: "I think this is a correct decision Nitya. You should marry Siddharth."