Amor Fati - Our Love, Our Fates [COMPLETE]

Part 43 - Fate

In Bengaluru

It was late at night when Nikhil used his set of keys to enter Rohini's apartment. Rohini had given him a set so that he could visit her apartment, even if she was not there. This had happened after he had blurted out one day that he loved being in her apartment; it felt more like a home to him than his own penthouse, which reeked of unnecessary opulence. Rohini had laughed at his statement at first, though she had stopped a while later and kissed him, impressed by the sincerity in his eyes.

She had given him the keys the next time the met. Now thinking about it, Nikhil felt small. He had somehow not returned the gesture. Not that Rohini had ever mentioned it during all the times they had spent together after that.

The apartment was dark as if it was mourning by itself and Nikhil tiptoed his way around. He dare not switch on the lights. Somebody would notice and then come up. He had parked his car far away from the building, and had slinked in while the watchmen had been nodding in the chill outside. Nikhil opened the door to the balcony and left it ajar, willing some light to filter inside.

He moved softly to the kitchen, almost like an apparition, and reached for a glass. He stared out of the kitchen window, listlessly at the next apartment, as he drank some water, letting the cool liquid drench his thirst.

Hi body yearned for alcohol but he struggled. He didn't know whether she would ever forgive him, but Nikhil knew in his heart of hearts, that he would never be able to love anybody. Ever.

He wanted to scream out in that empty apartment that she would never be his rebound. She had been his true love, and somehow he had managed to lose her and that love. Perhaps forever.

...

Nikhil walked into the bedroom a while later, and sat down on the bed. On the side that used to be his.

He slowly slid down on the bed and hid his face in the pillows, trying to remember her smell. All he could smell was the detergent though.

He got up and looked all around. The apartment was all spic and span, somebody had been cleaning it nearly regularly. But it had no life left.

"Forgive me Rohini ... please" he whispered in the dull darkness as he got up and headed out.

...

The next day

Roshan waited outside Abheek's cabin, rocking on the balls of his feet. Though he looked calm and collected, his mind was still agitated with everything that had happened over the past few months.

He had made the decision. He was leaving the company in a month's time.

Abheek's P.A. called him inside after a few minutes. Roshan liked Abheek; though he was not somebody who would show his emotions, yet Abheek was the one who had stood beside his Grandfather and taken over the reins of the company, driving it to further heights.

He began unceremoniously -

"I know you want to leave, Roshan; and I don't blame you at all. To find oneself at this crossroads is definitely not pretty.

But I think you do not have to worry much. Nikhil has left the organisation for good - his own as well as ours."

Roshan didn't like Abheek's words but he kept quiet. Nikhil had been his best friend like forever, though they had recently ended up in a spot. Due to both of their idiosyncrasies.

Abheek continued

"He was not adding much value here .. I know my Brother, his interests lay somewhere else ... but we can't afford to lose you. It's your choice of course. I would request you to rethink ..."

Roshan stepped out of his Boss' cabin, deep in thoughts.

Though he was supremely angry with Nikhil for being stupid and egoistic, he could not forsake the thoughts of his well-being. He was fully aware that Poorvi was frequently meeting him, and feeding him too.

Nikhil needed help, he was falling apart at the seams already ...

Roshan rubbed his eyes. He knew that Rohini would never forgive him for what he was doing to Nikhil ...

Never ever.

Decision made, her stepped out of the office. 

..........

That Evening

Nikhil sat in front of the piano, staring at the black and white keys, willing his fingers to move.

Rohini would love to hear him play ... he knew.

He had been trying hard to get some semblance of a life in place ... then only, he could reach out ... once again.

The sudden chiming of the doorbell broke his trance. He had not been expecting anybody. No. The only two people who visited him sometimes were Poorvi and his Grandfather.

His surprise knew no bounds when he found Roshan standing outside the door.

Strange tears blinded him as he turned around. Roshan entered the apartment and closed the door behind him.

He followed Nikhil inside and sat down in front of him. He reached out and touched his knee, and then his shoulder

"I am sorry ..." Nikhil whispered

"Me too ..." Roshan replied, his voice heavy with emotions.

Few minutes later, Nikhil looked up at Roshan and asked

"Where is Rohini? I have to atone ..."

....

Binsar, Uttarakhand

Miles away, Rohini shivered as she pulled the shawl tightly around her. It was nearly 2 degrees Celsius, and was snowing like mad. It was December after all.

She looked up from the drawing board, now pleased at the modifications that she had done to the sketch. The design for the office space was the best she could do, given the space restriction.

Satisfied, she moved away from the board; she would review the drawings once more in the morning and then send them to her Father. Even after all these years, she never failed to take his suggestions and approval; his genius and astute observations on the subject were way beyond comparison.

She walked towards the balcony overlooking the impressive Nanda Devi mountains, which was now shrouded in darkness. Snow flakes twirled all around, as she rested her forehead on the icy cold glass pane. Her arms went around her middle hugging herself protectively, as her mind flitted to all her personal losses.

Angrily, she pushed the thoughts away. She had resolved never to let her personal life get the better of her, anytime from now onwards. She had gambled away way too much of her love and soul ...

... only for love. Bits of love. Fragments of love. Bountiful love. Love that heals.

Fate smiled benignly.

A slight sound on the stairs, like footsteps echoed ... Rohini turned around sharply, trying to read those treads.

Nikhil? her heart whispered.

Couldn't be ... her mind answered. Remember it's December, way past midnight, with snow and ice outside. The doors are locked anyway. Kumud and Shambhu are downstairs.

... And then he has forsaken you.

Despite her best efforts, Rohini crumpled onto the cold floor of the balcony, her back against the wall, hiding her face in the crook of her arms, as she cried her heart out.

Any hope, even the slightest and the flimsiest one, was finally extinguished.

Nikhil would now never know what could have been ...

End Part 43