Voiced Whispers Part 11

Meira got a scholars.h.i.+p in FIITJEE, which had a scheme for the children of poor people who couldn't afford their fees. She started to study hard, and soon became one of the brighter students in her cla.s.s. Aliya studied from tutors at home, and began working soon after, starting on small jobs and slowly moving up the ranks. I s.h.i.+fted my focus back on academic activities, and managed to improve my grade well enough.

Everything ended in the best possible manner, and every bit of pain, every little effort that I put in had paid off. I was happy now, and so was everyone else. I took on Gujjar, and I won.

EPILOGUE.

I sat up gently as I thought about all of this. My life certainly did have an adventure to it, and it was an adventure I would never forget. The smile on my face didn't seem to go away, as I thought about every little thing that happened then.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned around to see my wife smiling at me. "Been here for a while, have you?"

"Didn't feel like sleeping. I was thinking about the time we spent twelve years back. All the fights, the running, the drama, the proposal..."

"The happiness and the laughter that we all went through back then. I can never forget those days, Ansh. You're the reason why I am who I am today. I found love, happiness, freedom, independence, everything because you came into my life. You're the best thing that could happen to me."

"And you are the best thing that could ever happen to me!"

"Well, let's not get so sentimental now! We have a guest coming over for dinner tonight, remember?"

"Of course, Meira is coming!"

Aliya left to prepare dinner, and I joined her soon afterwards to help her with it. Just as we were done, a car pulled up, and the doorbell rang. I went to the door and hugged the person standing there.

"It's so great to finally see you after so many months Meira!"

"You know I have a changed name now, don't you?" She said, grinning back at me.

"Yes, Miss Tanisha Roy, IITian, stud coder, Google professional. Should I recite your resume too?"

"Shut up, you," she said, punching me lightly on the arm. "Shall we go to dinner now?"

"Sure, let's go. We've made your favourite dishes."

"You and cook? I'm sure Aliya did all the hard work!"

"I've learnt over time, okay? Stop making fun of me like that!"

"Oh, he's helped a lot! He helped me chop a few vegetables," Aliya joked.

And we burst out laughing. In this laughter, jokes, and happiness, n.o.body could have ever thought of what we had been through together. Yet, that incredible journey had formed a bond that was going to last forever.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

A first book is always special to an author, but the support and help of several other people made this book even more special to me.

I'd like to thank my parents, since without their constant support I wouldn't have even dreamed of taking up this initiative, let alone completing it.

My sister, Pragya, who gave several valuable inputs in giving the book its current form, especially while rounding up the plot.

Chandra Has Dondapati, whose constant joking and kidding about various things led me to serious parts in the plot.

Ayus.h.i.+ Mrigen, who would pour her suggestions in from time to time, and would take out the effort to read every chapter as it was completed.

Meghana GL, who gave me all the information I needed about Vizag for the book, and corrected my mistakes about the city.

Anurag Kar, who, in spite of all odds being stacked against him, managed to give me advice that was most helpful in editing several parts, and giving the book the shape it has now.

Spars.h.i.+ka Chhaperia, for never giving me a straight answer to any query I came to her with, and thus making me think a lot more about how I should write the book.

A special thanks goes to my teachers, Ms. Mini Joseph and Mr. Melvin Dsouza, for pouring in their knowledge and experience in making this book much better.

Above all, I'd like to thank the girl I met on the train journey to Santragachi one random evening, for sharing her story with me. It was her life that drove me to write about so many more lives.

end.