It's had been 8 hours since the meeting with Aksh. I was sitting right there at my spot,looking at the dark road from the balcony. I had smoked almost half of my cigar. The talk with Aksh had been highly unsettling and disturbing. How can he just call the book lie? How can someone just totally lie in his own diary? He then just disappeared and since had never contacted any of his old friends. What is this guy actually? Is he for real or is he a cheat? Does he find it amusing and exciting to defame or write such weird lie about others?
I couldn't wait to meet him. My head was storming with thoughts . I needed to punch him. I was raged at myself more than him. But its our nature to always take out our failures and rage on others . I started getting uncomfortable and the thoughts were just unstoppable. I couldn't lie down for a moment. So I picked up my phone,made some phone calls and decided to meet Rihan the very next day. I texted him about change of plans and wanted to check if he was okay with it. He replied in affirmation and that he will meet me the next day.
I was at the airport ,an hour before my flight. I was very anxious. A gentleman sitting next to me advised to take some deep bresths. This actually helped me calm my mind a little. Then I looked at him,one glance and you can say that he was man with a dignity and great responsibility. He was very poised and calm. He had been working since I sat beside him. But never he had his veins rushed with blood. I asked the secret and he was all happy to answer that. He told me that it the experience that made me learn this. I was too once an anxious young boy like you . But I understood that it doesn't change anything. It just ruined my health and body. So I advise young minds like you to just work on your karma. Do good and you would be rewarded. But taking stress and imaging situations on your own damages your mental well being and it ultimately damages your body leading to various diseases.
Young boy, believe in your work and if it doesn't get you desired result believe in God because he knows what's best for us.
This talk with the man really was helpful. I felt it was crux of life in a simplified manner. The ways to happiness were this after all. We talked for little more . Our flight departed and after 20 minutes I was in Mumbai. The heart throbe of the country. The city which never sleeps. The city that never stops. The city with crores of dreams. The city of where I was finally going to get my answers.
I took a taxi down to The Taj Hotel. It was where we decided to meet. It was 11o clock in the morning . The roads of the city were suffocated by the vehicles on it. Every person's eyes had a sparkle in it, a dream to achieve, a goal to complete. Everyone struggling to create a better tomorrow for them and their family. The taxi driver too had started talking about his dreams. How he came to this city to become actor and how he had switched to driving taxi for rooji roti. I was thinking that this city alone has more inspiring stories than whole country. You get to see people aspiring to be actors,singers everywhere. It's like people here like the big screen. They want to be famous. The only city where you actually see the difference between rich and poor. It fulfills the dreams of thousands and burns down dreams of lakhs. Talking and enjoying the city , after 2 hours I was finally at the hotel.
The grand entrance and the welcome really scared the shit out of me. I never had visited such a hotel in my life. I felt like a lost child in the city. I was roaming here and there. I finally sat down at a table carved in gold in the cafeteria. I ordered a tea and some snacks. I already completed two cups of tea and snacks but there was no sign of Rihan. I was so tired with journey. I looked here and there,tried to call the guy. But no response. So I finally stood up and started walking down the hallway. At the entrance I saw a Black Maybach Mercedes entering the hotel. I took a moment to watch the beauty. A man in 30s stepped out of the car. He was wearing a dark blue blazzer and trousers . He looked like a corporate head of someplace. I was awestruck by his form.
"Whatever ",I said to myself and went to my taxi. I told him to take to the airport. After a few minutes, I got a phone call. The number was not known to me. I didn't want to answer but it kept ringing and I was annoyed. So I picked it up.
Hey , Guess I missed your calls. Sorry for that. I am here at the hotel. Where are you?
Oh shit! Holy crazy shit ! I was back on my way to airport and this guy is finally showing up there. After all this time waiting for him, he had to come now,why?
Hello? Is anyone listening? Helloo
Yeah yeah I am listening. I am in the bathroom ,could you wait for like 10 minutes I will be right there .
But why do I here honking sounds?
I am in the bathroom(angrily) .I will be there .
Okay okay. Cool .
I didn't know why I said I was in the bathroom. It was the stupidest idea. I was know in a taxi that was travelling towards airport and I had to go meet Rihan who is waiting for me at the hotel and that they are both in different directions.
I told the driver to turn around and take me back to the hotel. He agreed but he told me that the next turn is about 1 km away and there is also heavy traffic around so maybe the turnaround would be closed. I told him to stop. My mind was constantly thinking about the next step . What should I do ? Adrenaline rushing through my veins into my head. I told him to stop right there, I came out and started running in the direction to the hotel.
The adrenaline was doing its thing. After 15 minutes of reckless and really harsh running ,I made it to the hotel. I went directly into the washroom, washed the face , tucked my shirt,sprayed some perfume , put on my glasses and went straight to cafeteria. I called Rihan and the guy in the blazzer picked up the phone. Oh my gosh! That guy is Rihan. I approache him.
Hey, sorry for keeping you waiting. You know new place, new food . (After an awkward pause) How are you ?
I am fine. No worries it happens with me too so. You wanted to talk to me about some diary you found?
Till now I almost had forget about the diary. That I was angry with this guy. His charming looks and sweet tone of speech made it hard to get angry on him. But I was back to senses, my anger was back.
So I start telling him about what happened in the diary and how Aksh denied to all this ? In between I may have used abusive language much frequently. I was very frustrated at him. My hand almost slapped him . So I vomited all that was in my mind. Doubts,claims,allegations,abusive words everything. He stood there listening to me and trying to be supportive. He offered me a glass of water. Told me to sit down and then he will answer everything.
See, let me first tell you neither my diary is wrong not Aksh. He is right the story in the diary is about his life and not mine. But I have an explanation for that. You see I was suffering from a condition that time. Not many people know 'bout this. If you are not in a hurry let's go to my house ,it's near.
I agreed to join him as I honestly had no work to do. I haven't spoke anything since the last gaali I gave him. We were at his home. It was luxurious flat, a big fat balcony,high rise. It must have had cost him a handsome amount. He offered me a drink but I never drank so I told him to get me a coffee. We sat against each other. All comfortable and ready to hear Rihan' side of story.
So i was telling you I was suffering from a condition that time. It's called Bipolar personality disorder. In layman's terms,I have two different personalities that reside within me. I was Tanishka's best friend since we were small kids. Aksh had came from vadodara after his father got transferred. Till then I never knew I had such a problem. The two of them getting along together kind of aggravated the condition. So this other Rihan or Rihan 2 used to fabricate stories and events of someone's life and made if their own. Not only that he actually believed that those events and stories happened to him.
It went on like this for years. My parents were worried so they took me to a doctor where doctor confirmed that I was suffering from the disease. As a result, my parents decided to shift the place ,to a new place where I don't know anyone. It was a sudden decision and we moved to a town in Valsad. My father had business there and my treatment was started .
:He went inside and came with some reports and papers to show me.
These are the reports. You can check it for yourself. I am sorry for everything that you had to go through because of this diary.
I saw one of them and it stated that Rihan had suffered from the disease.
Meanwhile , a girl entered from the main door. She came near to Rihan,kissed on his cheek and wen to the bedroom.
Who is she?
She is my wife,Avani.
Avani, the girl you described in the diary. She is that Avani. But she wasn't even your batchmate then how ?
Yes she is that Avani. I know she was not my batchmate. But she lived in Valsad. So that's where it started. And now we are happily married couple.
That's great. I think I don't have anymore doubts now. I should be leaving because my flight departs in 2 hours.
All right then ,it was nice to meet you. And again I am sorry for this idiotic diary . Have a safe journey.
: He then went inside to talk to his wife,Avani.
As I was about to leave, I saw some reports thrown away due to gust of wind. I bent down to pick it up and keep in place. My eyes catched upon something. It was the report for the disease and Rihan had tested negative for that. It was a certified report. My legs felt weak. I was about to collapse. But I managed all the reports ,kept them in place and moved out ....
I was back to airport . Striding in the corridors to reach the gate. I saw a unattained diary lying there on the seat . I stopped there for a moment ,took a deep breath and went away to catch my flight. The diary lied there ,unattained.......