Invincible Love

Read Prelude and Part 1

Part 2

Soon her dilemma ended when she got to know through some mutual friends that Arnav is committed. She felt betrayed that even after being such good friends Arnav didn't trust her enough to let her know about his life or rather he didn't want her to know. She felt like a fool to have loved him and almost risked her own relationship for him. But deep down she knew it was all her fault. She herself created all this; Arnav never told her that he had any feelings for her. It was all her fault that she took his friendship as love.  She was happy that her life was back on track.

Two weeks later was their farewell. Kanishka knew that after farewell she won’t see or contact Arnav ever again in life and therefore she wanted this farewell to be memorable. She clicked as many photos as possible to keep them as a souvenir of their friendship, a souvenir of her love for Arnav beacuse this was the last memory of Kanishka and Arnav together.

"maan le tu aise, hain zara bhole se, jaante hai waise, hai nibhaani kaise, yaariyan, na chode yaariyan..."

The ringing of her phone brought Kanishka back to the present. It was a call from an unknown number, thinking it to be a call from Vodafone, she disconnected it. She checked the time, it was almost 4pm. She hadn't realized that so much time had passed. Just then the doorbell rang startling her. She opened the door but didn't find anyone. She was about to go inside when she saw a small bouquet of orchids and a card. She picked them up and went inside smiling.

She opened the card
"Happy Anniversary Tashu.
 I love you...”

Orchids were her favorite flowers and only Vikrant knew that. Today was their 2nd marriage anniversary and while going to the office Vikrant had told her to be ready for a surprise.

"I love you and your surprise Mr. Vikrant Sharma", she smiled to herself.

She dialed his number as re-read the card. She froze. 

Had she seen it right? But how can that be possible?

Vikrant had addressed her as Tashu...

But how come he knew this name? Arnav had given her this name.
 

She remembered their conversation

"Why do you call me Tashu instead of Kanishka?”, she asked.
"Your name is too long, and m too lazy to call you by such a long name!”, he joked.
"So you can give me some nick name, Mr. Lazy", she said.
"That's why I call you Tashu pagal", he replied.
"But why Tashu??" she argued.
"Because I love this name and it’s a secret between you and me. Only I will call you by this name, don't tell this to anyone, samjhi", he said.

Kanishka had never told this secret to anyone, not even Vikrant then how did he came to know about it?

Were those flowers sent by Arnav? How did he got to know her whereabouts?
She wasn't in contact with any of her college mates. No one knew where she was. Then how could Arnav send these flowers to her? Or was it Vikrant's prank?

Her mind was full of questions, but answers unknown. She was about to call Vikrant when her phone rang. It was the same unknown number.