Viraj had been sentenced to 4 years. While in jail, a year had passed. After coming to jail, Viraj tried to talk to Aryan first. However, Aryan never liked talking to Viraj initially, as he had been bullied by Viraj repeatedly. But due to Viraj's persistent attempts to talk, slowly they started getting closer over the course of a year and became friends. For Aryan, the only happiness in jail was having a friend like Viraj.
______
Aryan, who had spent 3 years in jail, was about to be released the next day. Viraj and Aryan were sitting together in the same cell. Viraj asked Aryan, "Aryan, will you be happy when you get released tomorrow?"
Aryan didn't show any expression on his face for a while. After a moment, he said, "Maybe... because I'm not sure whether I should be happy about it or not."
Viraj said, "Tomorrow, someone from your family will definitely come to pick you up."
Aryan smiled faintly and replied, "I don't think anyone will come to pick me up. It's been 3 years, and not a single member of my family has come to meet me in jail. The people I thought would never leave me have also not come to see me. Even my own mother hasn't come to visit me. Maybe I'm already dead to those people, so I shouldn't expect anyone to come tomorrow."
Hearing Aryan's words, Viraj becomes sad and says, "Both of us are in the same situation at the moment. The only difference is that despite having a family, no one came to see you, and for me, there's no one outside this jail who would come to meet me. Even my sister, who was with me, has left this world. So, in this world, I have no one left. But despite having a complete family in this world, you are still alone."
Aryan smiles lightly and responds, "If having a family like mine means having a family, then I don't want a family. You are much luckier than me right now because you know that you have no one in this world... But when you come to know that you do have someone in this world, but you've lost them, the pain in your heart is unimaginable."
Viraj says, "I hope someone comes to pick you up tomorrow."
Aryan bows his head and a sense of sadness overtakes his expression. He says, "I've been keeping false hope for so long, I'm tired now. I can't hold onto false hope anymore, so stop trying to explain it to me... I don't want to hear anything about this anymore."
Viraj replies, "Alright, I won't talk about this again. But tell me, after you get released tomorrow, what do you want to do in your life?"
Aryan: "I haven't thought about it yet."
Viraj: "You haven't thought about it yet."
Aryan: "Hmm."
Viraj, smiling, says, "Alright, take your time."
After a brief moment of silence, Aryan says, "I'll go where destiny takes me."
Viraj: "Hmm. Will you answer my question?"
Aryan: "Hmm."
"Will you go outside and find out who was behind your grandfather's murder? If you didn't do it, then someone else must have. Will you try to uncover the truth?"
After a moment of thinking, Aryan responds, "My mind tells me I should do it, but my heart tells me I don't need revenge, because seeking revenge burns you alive from the inside. My grandfather made me promise that if I ever feel the urge to seek revenge, I should forget about it and move forward in life, trying to be happy."
"So, will you let go of those people who might have killed your grandfather? Don't you want to know how your grandfather was killed?"
A hint of pain is evident in Aryan's voice as he says, "Yes, I want to know who killed my grandfather, after all. What did he gain by framing me for his murder... But then I think, by doing all this, I won't get to meet my grandfather, and I won't get back the three years of my life I've spent in hell. So, I'll heed my grandfather's advice and try to be happy."
Viraj says, "I agree with your decision because I also want you to always be happy. You have seen so much at such a young age. You are now 25 years old, and you have a long life ahead of you. So, you should start your life anew."
Aryan replies, "Hmm, I will come to meet you in jail."
Viraj responds, "I don't want you to come and meet me in jail."
Aryan asks, "Why?"
Viraj explains, "If you come to meet me in jail, you will remember all the things you've endured in this hellish place for the past 3 years. I don't want you to keep any memories associated with this place. So, after you leave here, just forget about me and this place, and try to be happy."
Aryan reassures, "I can never forget you. You were like the light of a candle in a dark room for me, always motivating me to keep going. So, I will definitely come to meet you."
Viraj interrupts, "Absolutely not. You won't come to meet me. I don't want you to see this jail again. Fate has brought us together. If fate wants us to meet again, we will meet in the future. So, after leaving here, wait for that time when fate brings us together again."
Aryan smiles lightly and says, "Alright, I will wait for that moment. By the way, do you know you're talking to me like my girlfriend?"
Viraj teases, "I don't want you to forget me, after all. I want you to keep waiting for that time when fate will unite us once again."
Aryan responds, "I can never forget you. You were like the light of a candle in a dark room for me, always motivating me to keep going. So, I will definitely come to meet you."
Viraj interrupts, "Absolutely not. You won't come to meet me. I don't want you to see this jail again. Fate has brought us together. If fate wants us to meet again, we will meet in the future. So, after leaving here, wait for that time when fate brings us together again."
Aryan says with a faint smile, "Alright, I will wait for that moment. By the way, you know, you're talking to me like my girlfriend..."
Aryan, playfully offended, retorts, "You're insulting me. Don't forget, I'm older than you, so you should address me as 'bhaiya' (big brother)."
Aryan, still smiling, responds, "Bhaiya, I wasn't insulting you. I just gave you a small compliment."
Continuing their conversation in this manner, Aryan lies down on the mat spread on the ground. Viraj, before closing his eyes, says, "The sun of tomorrow will write a new history for your life." And saying this, he closes his eyes.
In Aryan's eyes, sleep was nowhere to be seen. He was gazing up at the ceiling of the cell. His mind was occupied with thoughts. After all, it had been three years. Has everything changed now? Does anyone remember him? Is anyone eagerly waiting for his return? Does his dad still harbor the same hatred towards him as Aryan had seen in Rajendra's eyes three years ago? Would his mother be happy to see him after three years? How would his sister look after three years? Aryan's mind was swarmed with such questions, and the answers to these questions would be revealed when the sun rises tomorrow.
_______
The prison door opens, and Aryan steps outside. The rays of the sun are touching his face as he looks at the open sky. Seeing the vast expanse above, a sweet smile forms on Aryan's face. After three years, he had the opportunity to gaze at this open sky. Aryan raises both his hands in the air, feeling the breeze of freedom. After standing like that for a while, he puts his hand in his pocket and takes out some money. This money was his earnings from working in the jail for three years. Aryan looks around but no one has come to pick him up. Seeing this, Aryan becomes quite disappointed, but he consoles himself and says, "Mom, you didn't come to meet me in jail for these three years, nor did you come to pick me up today. But I can't stay away from you anymore. I am coming to meet you."
Aryan walks a little away from the prison and waits for a taxi. He doesn't have to wait for too long as a taxi arrives in front of him.
To be continued...