Au Revoir

When Hardik woke up. He made his way to Ishika's room. It was open. 'She might be awake' he thought to himself as he entered the room he was surprised to see that the room was empty. It had no sign of anyone residing there. No luggage, no personal belongings.

He went to the reception to check.

"Hello... Could you please tell me if the lady staying in room number 113 had moved to another room?" he asked the receptionist. She checked the list and asked,

"Miss.Ishika Shekhawat?"

"Yes"

"She's already checked out a left a note" she said and handed him the note.

Hey,

Look I'm so sorry but I had no other option. You people would never allow me to go but I can't leave any of my wishes unfulfilled. By the time, you guys wake up and read this I would have already taken off for Leh. Don't worry I will be back in three days after exploring Ladakh. Don't worry about me and you guys enjoy.

and oh… Ladakh is on ;)

Take care

Ishika

"This girl is simply crazy" he muttered to himself. 'What if her medical conditions go even worse?' he was muffled by the sense of anger for Ishika. He indeed was mad at her for this but more than that he was worried about her. He booked the first flight he could get that was scheduled the next day. All the other friends woke up and went mad after knowing that she had technically ran away, after all this was supposed to be ‘Reunion’ and they were supposed to spend their time together.

Meanwhile, Ishika reached Leh. The beauty of this place enthralled her. She asked the driver to stop the cab near a meandering stream. It was calm and serene. Unlike the city life there was no bustle here. Lush green patches and rocky terrain were spread all around, clear blue skies above and snow-capped mountains made a perfect contrast, everything seemed like a painting, a realistic painting. She had never in her life imagined that some place on earth could actually be this perfect. It seemed as if the chilly wind that was blowing, was humming a tune. The beauty of the place was beyond imagination, it was more like a dream, she closed her eyes and breathed in the air, as if to absorb everything, she was afraid to open her eyes fearing that the beautiful dream would end, she wanted it to last forever. It was too good to be true. She bent over to the river and as soon as her face touched the water, she felt alive, it seemed as if this was the only thing she was alive for, as if visiting such a heavenly place made her life worth. Next day after getting freshened up she asked the hotel staff to book a cab for her and then she headed to the school.

The school campus was no less than the set of any of any movie. It was huge and beautiful. She gave in the needed information to the gatekeeper and he allowed her to get in.

"Hello, actually I wanted to meet Mr. Benoy Ghosh, is he available?" she asked in the office.

"Wait a minute ma'am I will let you know.... Your name please"

"Ishika Shekhawat..." the lady in the office called and checked.

"Right now, he's busy... Can you wait for 15 minutes?"

"Yes sure... " She called the peon to take Ishika to the visitors’ room. It was chilly outside but the room was quite warm. After waiting for some time the door opened. A short heighted man, with round face, and spectacles entered the room. He looked the same, the way he looked 12 years ago; Ishika smiled on watching that confused look.

“One day would be such, when instead of asking why? You would ask me how did I do It, and that day my friend is not much far in the future… I hope now you remember me, Good Morning sir”

“I remember you and each word of your speech patently Ishika, just that I never expected to see you live ever again, after all you’re are THE Ishika Shekhawat now, so what brought you here?”

"Your words sir. When everyone laughed at my stupid decision to quit engineering for music you were the only person who showed his faith on me, you were my motivation and now that I’ve finally reached the place I wanted, how can I not express my gratitude to you?"

"Well, I never expected anyone to reach me like this. I never expected you to even remember me. After all who remembers the teachers after being successful and my blessings are always with you girl. "

He was dazed.

When she got back to the hotel she saw Hardik waiting for her in the reception.

"Ishika.... What the hell was this...?" He asked with a stern look.

"Okay I know it was a stupid idea, considering my physical conditions, but Hardik what really matters is that I feel good now and Hardik I didn’t want to die in regret of not being able to do something that I always wanted to"

Hardik had no words for that, he definitely wanted to disagree with her, wanted to prove her wrong but off late a weird sense of realization and acceptance had taken over him,  she was right after all.

"Fine.... So now that you are done... we're leaving tomorrow... I've already booked the tickets."

"Fine but now you just go and freshen up because we're going on a trek to Markha Valley" Ishika announced with excitement running in her veins.

"Trekking... NOT AT ALL... We can go for sightseeing or something but no trekking... look at yourself Ishika... Being here in this extreme cold itself is not safe for you"

"You want me to go alone?"

"Ish-"

"It's final."

"Is it necessary to be so stubborn Ishika? "

"Absolutely"

"Fine... I'm coming" he gave in, he had no other option

"Oh My God! " Ishika said as she gaped at the view of the valley. At that moment she could have traded anything to be at that place.

They started walking in silence.

There’s something special about silence, it says a thousand words and carries thousands of emotions, but not everyone can unravel it and he who knows the words hidden behind your silence is the one who fathoms you the most.

"Hardik... "

“Yes.”

“You know I love you, right?”

“Yes, why?”

She smiled and they moved forward. She stopped at a place abruptly, turned back and hugged him. Every beautiful moment of her life was flashing before her eyes. She shut them to enjoy those moments vividly. Then soon everything turned into a rainbow and then finally it was all dark.

“Solely yours, till my last breath”

And then she was silent. She didn't move. The hug lasted for more than normal time.

"Ishika. " he said. She didn't respond.

"Ishika you are okay ...?"

He broke the hug and shook her only to know that she was gone. Gone to the eternity.

He kept her calling her name, he cried but this time, she didn't answer any of his cries.

The inescapable death had already kissed her. And she had welcomed it with open arms. She had already passed into oblivion. A feeble smile still managed to stay on her motionless face, which appeared just too calm and full of satisfaction. She had gone miles and miles away on a one-way road that had no returns.