Memories

15

Shivani

Fhanna's wedding was nothing short of spectacular! She looked drop-dead gorgeous in her blue lehenga, her hair perfectly done, and her smile radiating happiness. The hall was decorated in shades of blue, complementing her lehenga beautifully. We, as bridesmaids, were dressed in rose-gold lehengas that shimmered in the soft lighting of the grand hall.

As soon as we entered, Fhanna's mother pulled us into a warm hug, her eyes glistening with happiness. "You girls look beautiful! Thank you for being here," she said, squeezing us tightly. After the nikah ceremony concluded, everyone gathered to take pictures, capturing moments that would last a lifetime.

It was only when I stepped aside to check my bag that panic hit me. "Anjali, do you have my phone?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. She shook her head.

"Rahul, do you have my phone?" I called, my voice louder than intended.

"No... you didn't give it to me," Rahul replied calmly.

"Anjali might have it," he suggested.

"She doesn't... I just asked her," I muttered, feeling my anxiety rise.

"Did you try calling it from mine?" Anjali's voice rang out.

"Yes! It keeps ringing, and then the call gets cut off. Oh God... where did I put it?"

Rahul's eyes widened. "You might have kept it in the car."

And just like that, it hit me. Of course! I had left it in the car, near the gearbox. "Sorry guys, I remember now. It's in the car."

"Stupid! You scared me, man," Rahul said, shaking his head.

"Hehe," I laughed nervously, relief flooding me. Both Anjali and Rahul just shook their heads at my little antics.

Karthik

The wedding hall was crowded, and people kept approaching me, introducing themselves, shaking hands, and offering congratulations. But I couldn't remember any of them. The crowd, the noise, the endless greetings—it all became overwhelming. Feeling claustrophobic, I quietly slipped out to get some fresh air.

Unlocking the car door, I slid inside, trying to catch my breath. That's when I faintly heard a phone ringing. Looking around, I spotted it under the backseat. I didn't know whose it was, but before I could pick it up, the call cut off.

Curiosity won over caution. I pressed the power button. The lock screen flashed a familiar picture—me and Shivani, smiling, a moment frozen in time. Confused, I unlocked the phone, and the home screen revealed more pictures of her, of us with Anjali and Rahul.

I opened the gallery app and started scrolling. Memories, fragments of my past six months, surged in suddenly, each image stabbing me with nostalgia, warmth, and longing. Then, like a bolt of lightning, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through the back of my head. I dropped the phone and clasped my hands around my head.

Visions erupted in my mind—the accident, Switzerland, Shivani, Anjali, Rahul... everything. It was overwhelming, vivid, and real. Tears pricked my eyes, but I couldn't stop. The memories clicked into place, one after another, like a puzzle finally solved. I gasped and opened my eyes. My memory had returned.

The first person I needed to talk to was Rahul. I dialled his number urgently. "Rahul... I need to see you. Right now. You have to confirm something for me," I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

Moments later, Rahul arrived, concern etched on his face. "Okay, Kar, you said it was urgent. What's going on?"

I fist-bumped him, relief and disbelief mixing in my chest. "Rahul... I need to know something. What is my relationship with Shivani?"

"Your best friend... what else?" he said, puzzled.

"No... Rahul. Today, I found Shivani 's phone in my car. I opened it... I saw pictures of us, of everyone. Suddenly, everything came back. All my memories... I need to know if this is real."

Rahul's expression softened. He took a deep breath. "Okay... Shivani is your girlfriend. You proposed six months ago. Before that, she was your best friend in college before you dropped out. Anjali is my girlfriend; we've been together three years. The day of your accident... you had just returned from Switzerland. Even though I tried to stop you, you insisted on seeing Shivani. That's when the accident happened. And tomorrow... would've been your six-month anniversary."

I clenched my fists, anger and relief colliding inside me. "Did anyone know I was going to meet her that day?"

"No," Rahul said cautiously.

I took a deep breath, the storm in my chest barely contained. "Because... my accident wasn't an accident. It was planned."

Rahul froze. "What? Kar... what are you saying?"

"I saw it, Rahul. As I was conscious after hitting the truck, I saw two people step out. They were talking... one of them mentioned someone wanted me dead. Someone orchestrated the accident."

Rahul's eyes widened. "Kar... that's serious. Did you tell Shivani?"

"No. Not yet. I won't, until I find out who did this. I won't let anyone hurt her because of this. Or Anjali. Or Granny."

Rahul nodded slowly, concern evident. "Okay... so what do we do first?"

"We find the truck driver and his apprentice. That's where we start."

"And how?" Rahul asked.

"We can ask Bharat for help. He's our friend in the police department and has been following the case," I explained.