Sleep Well Fighter

Epilogue

Dear Akash and Rahul,

It's funny that it feels as if we have been friends for many years even though we met a year ago. If I hadn't met you guys, I would have been a weak little kid with no hopes in life. You guys have accepted me even though I was being rude all the time. I haven't mentioned this before, but I have a boyfriend now. He isn't like you Akash who doesn't speak out what you have in your heart. But Manish says what he has in his mind and is super enthusiastic in nature. I did love you back then but now I am tired of people who talk in cryptic messages. And Rahul, if you are reading this, I am grateful to you, you were the first person to accept me into your group. I know you have a huge crush on me, but I am sorry, your calm and shy nature kind of reminds me of my dad whom I hate so much. I am sorry I shouldn't compare you both but... anyways there are some things which are best left unspoken. You both are best suited for this mundane lifestyle, but I want to be free, free from this chain of suffering.

And then the letter is torn off

Seems like she was in love with Akash and I think he must have had a crush on her too because he never accepted her death until he solved the case and also the other day he became emotional when I was knocked out. I was too much immersed in my own fantasy world that I failed to notice their feelings. Ugh, I feel like someone who crushed their love.

While I was reflecting, Akash puts a hand on my shoulder and says "Bro, don't be hard on yourself, it was my bad that I never responded to her. I promise I didn't hold back because of you."

"Just shut up idiot, next time if you ever like a girl, you better tell me first, or else I am never gonna forgive you" I reply vexed.

"Trying to act strong eh? Alright, I promise, I will let you know if any girl catches my eye, now is not the time to brood over things that have already happened. let's go to her favourite spot and give some offerings"

So, we visit there, and I pray in my mind:

They say no matter what kind of person you turn into, there are two people who would love you unconditionally. They are like a refuge to whom you can go back no matter how many times your heart is broken, and those great people are someone called Parents.

But if those people are the ones who make your life a living hell, I can't even imagine how much you've suffered. Even though you fought the odds against you, seems like the darkness was too strong to handle. I hope you are in a better place free from suffering and pain.

I look at the sky, stretch out my hand and I whisper, "You are somewhere far beyond my reach, Sleep well fighter!"

While I am immersed with more thoughts, I feel a sharp punch on my stomach, "how long are you gonna keep staring at the sky" I see Shweta grinning "Give her some peace of mind man, you are gonna make her cry"

"Thanks for cheering me up but I am alright"

Akash puts the letter written to us near the tree along with the cowboy hat of Riya's.

"Let's go Akash, we have something to talk at home"

*******

"Why is she here at my house?"

"Why would I know, I thought you invited her" replies Akash looking at his phone.

"You see, I lost my friends after this whole incident, since you guys are the loners, I am left with you. You guys must be really fortunate to grace my presence," she says as she eats my cream bun.

There she goes again with that attitude of hers.

"Ouch! that hurts, are we like a refugee camp for everyone? Hey don't eat that! Man, why does everyone eat my favourite snacks. Anyways bro, so how did you eliminate Uncle Sam or the others and suspect her dad?"

He suddenly brightens up as if he is waiting for me to ask this question "I did want to keep it a secret but since you are insisting so much I will explain briefly. Even though we felt like we were at our wit's end, I did say we had all the pieces, right?

"It was true, to sum it all up, Uncle Sam never came out of his house after questioning, so he wasn't the one who put the fuel can back, in fact, I was the one who used to buy groceries for him regularly. The boyfriend and Sumanth also didn't have any motive now that the rape is eliminated. If it's her mom then she would generally end up killing in a fit of rage, but this was premeditated cold-blooded murder.

"Holy shit, you even suspected Sumanth and Mrs. Chopra eh?"

"Anyways, the only one who was left is her dad and motive seemed like the most absurd thing ever"

He then continues with a dramatic voice "There is a saying- When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"

"I knew it bastard; I always knew there was something wrong when you were solving everything just like those 3 people on the posters" damn he read those books!

"Ahahaha sorry bro I was only teasing you" He runs off as I chase him...

The End.