Janam Janam (Life after Life)

Part 14

Flashback contd....

When Aarav came back to his senses, the thought that crossed his mind was how did Naina fall from the balcony and what was she even doing there. When Aarav looked up, he saw someone at the balcony. So Aarav rushed to his room immediately. 

It was Arya at the balcony who was standing still. He was shocked, he hadn't expected that Naina would fall and die.

Arya came to his senses after a while. He was about to leave the room thinking how to come out of the complicated situation he was in. Arya unbolting the door and Aarav reaching his room coincided. Aarav pushed the door open and Arya moved back.

Aarav was surprised to see Arya there, since Arya was supposed to be out-of-town, but that was not his concern now, it was Naina.

Aarav : "What happened? Why was Naina here? How did she fall?"

Arya didn't expect anyone to return home early. He wasn't prepared for this, he didn't know what to answer.  

Aarav wouldn't have suspected Arya, but seeing Arya's nervousness, Arya not answering him and also the condition of the room Aarav became suspicious.

Aarav : "Did you do something..?"

Arya's nervousness increased and it was clearly visible on his face. Not receiving any response from Arya, Aarav figured out that Arya was at fault. Aarav couldn't stop himself and he punched Arya. He had lost Naina and it appeared that Arya was responsible for it.

Aarav : "Why aren't you speaking? What did you do to my Naina?"

Arya was taken aback. Aarav had never raised his hand on Arya, and today he punched him because of Naina. 

Arya couldn't tell Aarav that he lusted for his best friend's girlfriend. It would ruin their relationship, Aarav was his best friend and also his cousin. Arya thought that since Naina is no more, she won't be able to defend herself. So, instead of revealing the truth, Arya lied. He conveniently put the blame on Naina.

Arya : "You are raising your hand on me because of that characterless girl."

Aarav : "Don't use such words for her."

Arya : "Why not? She came here because she wanted to sleep with me."

Arya continued talking ill about Naina. Aarav's temper rose, hearing such words for his Naina. Aarav trusted Naina and he knew she wasn't anything like that. Naina was lying there lifeless and Arya was talking ill about her.

Aarav couldn't control himself and he started punching Arya. Arya tried to defend himself but couldn't. He couldn't bear the punches anymore. In an attempt to save himself, Arya took the rifle which was nearby and threatened Aarav.

(Since shooting was one of Aarav's hobbies, there were a few rifles in his room.)

Aarav tried to take the rifle away from Arya's hands, but Arya wasn't ready to let go. During their struggle, Arya's finger pressed the trigger and Aarav was shot. Aarav breathed his last soon after that.

Arya never intended to shoot Aarav, he just wanted to stop Aarav from punching him, but he ended up killing Aarav. Arya didn't know what to do. He never expected that he would end up losing his best friend because of his mistake. He was guilty, but there was nothing he could do now.

Arya's mistake had led to loss of Aarav and Naina's life, two lives that had dreamt of living together forever.

Arya's concern now was only his future. He didn't want to rot in jail. He also didn't want to miss his chance of going to US because of what had happened. Arya took precautions to erase all the evidences and made it look like Aarav committed suicide.

Arya thought that lot of questions might arise if Naina's body is also found at their house. Arya took Naina's body and threw it into the river, so that it would also look like suicide.

Aarav's death was declared as suicide since there were no evidences to prove otherwise. Arya went to US and settled down there. His plan of going to US got a little delayed because of Aarav's death, but it didn't get stalled.

Arya had destroyed Aarav and Naina's lives and their dreams, but had fulfilled his dreams of going to US.

Arya had the guilt that his best friend Aarav died because of him, so he avoided coming to that house. This time, his mom had been pestering him to come. Also that incident took place many years back, so he had made up his mind to come there.

Flashback ends

Arya had pointed the rifle at Manik and Manik was frozen to his spot.

Nandini was on the other side of the room, behind Aryaman. She was scared. She didn't know if Aryaman would press the trigger or even if the rifle is loaded, but she didn't want to take any chances. She quickly took a vase and with all her might hit it on Aryaman's head. Aryaman fell down.

Nandini ran to Manik. She cupped his face with her hands.

Nandini : "Manik, are you ok?"

Manik : "Yes.. I am."

Nandini hugged him tightly.

Nandini : "I was so scared. Thank god! Nothing happened to you."

Nandini : "Why did you come here? I asked Cabir not to let anyone inside."

Nandini : "What if something would have happened to you?"

Manik : "What about you? What were you trying to do? What if he would have harmed you?"

Nandini : "I planned everything, so I took all the precautions too."

She suddenly realized their position and took off her hands from him.

Nandini : ".....about what I was doing....I have recorded everything that happened in this room. The recording has Aryaman's confession."

Nandini gave the recordings to Cabir and asked him to care of it. The days events, revelation of the truth, the fact that Manik was at rifle point and might have been shot had taken a toll on her. She didn't have any energy left, so Nandini left from that room and went to her room.