invisible string ✓

twenty five

“What do you mean?” He asked, his frown getting deeper every second.

“I mean, there is a universe just like ours. And, your God lives there.”

With that, I rambled on about Advika, Aadya Chatterjee, and their universe.

“Ishaan,” Ved called in a warning tone. “This… This whole stuff is just so ridiculous. You know what I'm going through right now. And, I know what you are going through. I understand that forgetting Maahi is a totally difficult thing to do.” While I could react further to him mentioning Maahi's name, he interjected, “But…” He sighed as though he was fed-up and continued, “I can suggest some psychiatrists who can help you. Reach out to them and talk about it.”

“Ved, but—” Can someone kindly tell him that I don't need someone to help but believe.

“Let me repeat, Ishaan. You need help. Stop drinking from now on: they may cause hallucinations. I warned you; you drink a lot. Take a break if you wish to and—”

“I'm not lying, Ved!” I raised my voice, successfully managing to gain his attention. “Let me repeat. That woman Aadya Chatterjee was the one who killed your wife and your unborn—”

“Ishaan!” He yelled at a decibel louder than me: a sign that he was so angry that he could destroy anything right then and that I must stop babbling the truth. “No random woman from a parallel universe had killed my wife and my baby. It was a drunk driver and a faulty traffic system. That's what the police and the media says. You get it? I'm telling you. You— Wait.” He took out his mobile, dialled someone, and spoke up a few seconds later. “Hello? Fior, it's Ved here. Uh… Ishaan is at my house now. Could you please take him to his house?... Sure, he can wait…Grazie, Fior. Arrivederci.” Disconnecting the call, he looked at me and informed me, “Fiorella will reach here in five minutes. Go home safely with her. Okay?”

“Ved, but work…” I paused midway, unable to comprehend what was going on then.

“I'll talk to your boss. It's Mr Smith, isn't he? I have his number. I'll explain. You go home and take a rest.”

I wondered who was supposed to be the depressed one: him or I, as the room fell back into silence.

***

From: isha142@swiftlee.com
To: advikab1389@gmail.com

Subject: Nobody believes me.

I have a theory. If Gods were the ones who determine everything in our life, was Aadya Chatterjee— the one who created this world and was determining everything that has to happen here— the God of this universe?

Mehak and her unborn baby died at an accident last night. I visited Ved today. And, I told him about your world. I know that the timing was bad, but I couldn't help it. I explained how “God” played it hard with his life. He didn't believe me, though. Who can blame him?

Anyways, reply after seeing this mail. Love you!

I

***

AN HOUR LATER…

I received two emails from Advika: one a screenshot of a text message and the other a text mail.

From: advikab1389@gmail.com
To: isha142@swiftlee.com

Subject: LOOK AT THIS FIRST!

aadyachats ✓:
Hi, Advika Bansal! You may think that there's almost nothing between us to have a conversation yet again, but no. I'm here to send my condolences and apologies. Condolences to Mehak Trivedi Singh and her unborn baby. And, apologies for planning a brutal death for them and executing it on manuscript— especially after knowing that it would happen for real. Sorry. ;)

Still not recovered from the astonishment the screenshot gave me, I read the next mail, only to drench in surplus guilt.

From: advikab1389@gmail.com
To: isha142@swiftlee.com

Subject: Where are your brains?

Your theory was proved right, dear. Unfortunately.

And, I wonder where the fuck did you misplace your brain when you thought of confessing the truth to Ved. I mean, you know he was in sorrow at the loss of his family. But, you… NO FOOL WOULD DO THAT, ISHAAN! How did you even manage to do that? I'm not surprised that Ved didn't believe you.

Advika B…

***

Though I hate Aadya, the reasons why she waved a red flag for Ishaan's relationship with Advika... It's valid, though.

But, we never listen to our heads, do we?

See you soon!