Part 2: The Untold Secrets
"You have no idea, but it's not as hard as you think to dispose of a dead body. You could chop it into small pieces and throw them in a sewer, or bury it somewhere remote. But neither option is foolproof. There's always the risk of getting caught, and I can't risk going to jail for that scumbag. Don't worry, Khushi. I'll take care of everything. Just trust me."
The Next Day at School
Aditi: "Hey, how's everyone doing?"
Khushi: "I'm fine."
Disha: "Hi Jay, how about you?"
Jay: "I'm okay."
Me: "Hello, everyone."
Everyone: "Hey! All good."
Teacher: "Hello, students. I have some sad news. One of your classmates, Shivaksh, passed away in a car accident. Please gather in the playground in ten minutes to pay your respects."
We all stood silent, mourning the loss. I felt a pang of guilt but reminded myself he deserved it for what he did to Khushi. Still, a part of me wondered if I'd acted too hastily. Amidst the sorrow, I noticed Khushi and I were growing closer. I relied on her for everything, and I could feel her attachment to me deepening. Perhaps this tragedy had inadvertently brought us together.
A Month Later
Phone rings
Khushi: "Hey! Are you free? I need your help."
Me: "Tell me, what happened?"
Khushi: "I was out with Dad, and our car broke down near the mall. Dad took a cab to his office, but I'm stuck here. Can you come?"
Me: "Of course, I'll be there soon."
Khushi: "Thanks!"
Something felt off that day. For the first time, I wasn't excited to see her. The sky was overcast, and an eerie silence hung in the air, signaling that something was about to go wrong. But the moment I saw her, my fears melted away. She had that effect on me — calming my anger and fear with her presence.
At the Mall
Khushi: "Hey, I'm over here!"
Me: "Hi!"
Khushi: "Let's head inside, or are you planning to just stand there staring at me?"
Me: "Haha, let's go."
I had bought her a gift that day — a delicate handband adorned with small hearts. It seemed perfect for her. When I gave it to her, I could see her eyes light up.
Khushi: "Thank you! This is beautiful."
Me: "It reminded me of you, so I had to get it."
Her laughter was infectious. She knew how much I loved it when she smiled. She teased me often, just to see my reactions.
Suddenly, it began to rain heavily.
Khushi: "Oh no, it's raining!"
Me: "Let's go. I'll drop you home."
Khushi: "Okay, let's hurry."
The rain intensified, flooding the roads. Our car was parked a block away, and by the time we reached it, we were drenched. She asked if we could go to her uncle's showroom nearby to wait for the rain to subside. My heart sank. That showroom's basement was where Shivaksh's murder had taken place. I didn't want to go back there, but how could I refuse her?
At the Basement
Me: "Alright, make yourself comfortable."
Khushi: "This place smells weird."
Me: "Really? I don't smell anything."
Khushi: "Never mind. Let's sit."
We shared a drink to pass the time. She picked my favorite whiskey, a choice that made me smile. As the hours passed, we grew closer. She playfully took the glass from my hand and spilled it on the floor, laughing. One thing led to another, and we kissed. It was magical until something unexpected happened. The handband I'd gifted her fell off, and when she bent down to pick it up, she found a chain.
Khushi: "Hey, this chain… it belonged to Shivaksh."
Me: "How do you know?"
Khushi: "I gave it to him. He always kept it with him."
Me: "Oh, maybe he dropped it here while drinking."
Khushi: "But… why is there blood on it?"
Her voice trembled. She stared at me, her eyes filled with suspicion. I tried to calm her down.
Me: "Khushi, please sit down. Let me explain."
Khushi: "You killed him, didn't you?"
Me: "Khushi, listen to me."
Khushi: "No, let me go! I won't tell anyone, I swear!"
Me: "I'm sorry."
Khushi: "I love you."
Me: "I'm sorry."
She tried to escape, but I couldn't let her leave.
Me: "Please understand. You can't go out now. The door is locked, and the stairs are slippery from the rain. Even if you try, no one will hear you."
She didn't listen. In her panic, she slipped on the wet stairs. Her head hit the floor, landing on the same whiskey bottle we had shared moments ago. She lay motionless, blood pooling around her. My world shattered. She was gone, and it was all my fault.
Two Days Later
Aditi: "Aryan, please take care of yourself."
Jay: "Yeah, bro. Whatever happened was tragic, but you need to move on."
Aditi: "I still can't believe she committed suicide like that. It's horrifying."
Jay: "Yeah, writing her own death note before doing it is just… unreal."
Me: "What can we do? Fate is cruel."
I knew the truth. I had altered her diary to save myself. In her book, I added a final entry:
"Today is my last day. I've decided to end my life. I want my friend Aryan to publish this book. Also, I was the one who killed Shivaksh. I'm suffering from Alzheimer's and have hurt many people. I can't live with myself anymore."
Her book became a bestseller, and I used the royalties to open a library in her memory. It was my way of keeping her alive in the world, even if it was built on lies.
A New Beginning
One day, as I sat in the library, lost in thoughts of Khushi, a girl walked in. She was wearing a red top and had an air of familiarity about her.
Me: "Hi, can I help you?"
Her: "Yes, I'm new in town and wanted a book recommendation."
Me: "Sure. By the way, red suits you. What's your name?"
Her: "Simran."
Me: "Nice name. Be careful in this city. It can be dangerous."
Something about her reminded me of Khushi, and for the first time in months, I felt a spark of hope. Maybe this was fate giving me another chance.