A Chink of Light

|| Chapter-1 ||

Memorial!

Usually people organize memorials after their loved ones deceased, in their memory. This gathering is conducted after the funeral. Usually a picture of the deceased one is placed on a high stage. Family, friends and acquaintances come and pay their respects.

Arnav Singh Raizada mentally scoffed at this description. The on-going memorial is of his younger twin Aarav Singh Raizada. Aarav is dead at the age of 26 by road accident.

Saying Aarav is drunkard is putting it mildly. He got addicted to boozing and partying at the tender age of 21. Aarav is a charmer. He escaped every rehabilitation center, he had been registered into. Finally as a last resort, Arnav had banished Aarav from his inheritance 2 years ago.

Still that didn't stop Aarav. He started the lifestyle of a hippie. From the past one year, Aarav had been at one place. He started doing menial jobs and living with his girlfriend. Arnav thought that Aarav was changing for good. Probably he judged too soon. Last month, he heard Aarav had left his job,girlfriend and moved to another place. He started drinking again. Next thing he heard is his brother died in a road accident.

Returning to the present, Arnav gazed at the gathering. None of the persons invited know Aarav personally. They are also high class sharks like him. These people did not come to give their condolences. They came to mark their attendance and in turn maintain the relationship with Raizada Corporations.

"Hello ASR! Hope you are coping up. But then I would say a good riddance. You are better off without a brother like him." said another guy. He doesn't remember this person's name. In various words almost everyone said the same message to him throughout the ceremony.

He retired to his room after the ceremony. He made himself a strong drink. But he just kept staring at it.

Arnav is experiencing a plethora of emotions. He lost his brother. After their parents death, it is just them. Now after Aarav it is just him. He stared cynically at the room. What is the use of the riches if he could not have the his loved ones beside him. Why couldn't anyone understand that he does not want to get rid of his brother. However and wherever Aarav was, there used to be a hope that he will come to him eventually. Now...

With a sudden rage at the liquor in his hand, he started to throw the glass aiming the wall.

"Please don't" came a voice from behind. He abruptly turned around and saw her.
Clad in white and blue uniform of the contracted helpers for the ceremony, there she stood.

Khushi,  Aarav's ex-girlfriend. The one person whom he thought of informing about his brother's death, but was sure that she will not attend. 

From one week Khushi is begging the manager of the 'catering services' for food and help to take her as the helper for the Memorial of Aarav. Finally the manager relented and let her in for serving people refreshments.

The relationship Khushi had with Aarav is very special. She loved him with whole heart. She thought he did too. They lived happily for more than an year. She used to work as a waitress in a bar. He used to visit that bar just for her, or that's what he said.

As their relationship progressed Aarav used to work as a clerk and Khushi continued her job. One midnight, Aarav just left without informing Khushi about anything. Khushi searched for him, but couldn't find him. She was devastated.

Ten days back, she had seen the news of Aarav's death on news. She just wanted to have a closure, by attending the function and paying her respects.

Now, after the function, she came to meet Arnav, Aarav's twin brother. 

Khushi stood in a trance in seeing him. Her heart is hinting this is not Aarav. But, her stupid brain had declared this is Aarav, her love and stopped any further argument s on this.

She just stood at the door entrance and watching his every actions. Every action is reminding her of Aarav. The way this person is holding the drink, his sadness and his rage to break the tumbler.. everything reminded her of Aarav.

In such trance she had spoken aloud to stop this person from breaking the glass "Please don't"

This person turned around, just as her Aarav would do.. In a daze Khushi went near him and kept her palm on his cheeks as if to reassure herself that Khushi's Aarav had not gone anywhere.

This person has leaned himself in her touch and nuzzled his cheeks along her palms. Khushi couldn't  stop herself. Khushi held his head in both of her hands and placed a kiss on his forehead. The kiss is subtle and gentle.

Khushi didn't stop there and went along kissing his face, eyes, nose in a hurried manner. All she knows is her Aarav is here in front of her. Atlast she placed her lips on his lips. She placed a gentle peck and shuddered saying 'Aarav'.

The person in front of her stiffened for a bit and took hold of her head in his hands and kissing her passionately.  No one knows who took the other to the floor. Everything passed in a daze. Khushi is satiating herself in the love of her Aarav.

They both presented as one in the picture as if the start and end of each person cannot be determined. 

In the middle of night, Khushi woke up. Everything came up with a crystal clarity to her. She forcefully stopped the bile rising from her throat because of her actions. Khushi dressed back with an alarming speed.

Khushi started to leave. But, she halted at the door and turned back. Khushi looked at Arnav and wished in a whisper, "May you get the peace you are looking for." With that she bolted out of the door.

As soon as she reached her house, Khushi locked the door and reached for the washroom to throw up. After sometime she reached for her bed. Khushi just curled up on the bed and started to weep uncontrollably.

After her sobs die down, Khushi placed a hand on her stomach and whimpered " Hope you forgive me for my mistake. We both will survive.  We have to. I promise, I will not let you feel the absence of father in your life."