Chapter 7

2. Alice said we all know about Sandeep and Pavithra's story, tell us yours" she asked Jency... "Ours was a purely arranged marriage, I fell for him the second I saw his photo, I was all happy until the day I met him," said Jency... "Why," asked Alice. "Because he looked totally upset, he didn't even lift his head to look at me, but he said yes for the marriage, I felt something was wrong. Elders finalized our engagement date and he was never interested to call me or talk to me, I found him on Facebook and sent him a friend request; can you believe he neither accepted nor declined my request, I sent him a message with my number in it and asked him to call me, I wanted to know if he is really interested in us getting married, after 2 days I got a call from him, and you won't believe it,

The minute I answered his call, he didn't even bother to say "Hi" all he said was "it's not that I am not interested in getting married to you, I am interested, but it's just that I am not that comfortable talking to girls, I need some time" said Jency mimicking his voice. I liked his attitude and accepted him, even after our engagement I use to call him and he never did, it was only after our marriage that he slowly started opening up. We started off our relationship by being good friends, getting comfortable with each other and then finally after a year he realised he has a place for me in his heart said "Jency... Oh god!! are you serious? you were that patient Jency? Questioned Alice; "yes I was" replied Jency laughing... "So finally what changed you?" questioned Charles; "hmmm her patience, her love and innocence" replied John, "I didn't know even arranged marriage have a beautiful love story," said Alice.

They kept talking for a little longer and finally Pavithra said "let's have dinner and go back to the room, we should start early in the morning"... Sandeep "said guys carry on with the dinner, we 3 are headed to the bar, we'll join you later"they agreed. Jency looked at john and said "John, don't be too late" He replied, "no Jency we are not going out, we will be here in the bar and come back in an hour".

Charles, John, and Sandeep sat down in the bar... Sandeep and Charles were involved with some discussion and John was totally lost... "What are you thinking John?" Asked Sandeep "we are leaving tomorrow but I never found Roslyn"... "Who is Roslyn?"Asked Charles, "oh are you talking about your college junior who I saw" continued Charles; John nodded his head to yes, "she might have left dude. Now we know she is happy, why do you keep thinking about her? grilled Sandeep... John said "you are right Sandeep, but you very well know I want to apologize to her, I wanted to tell her what I had in mind about her" and he gulped one full beer bottle... Charles yelled "what are you doing John? What's wrong with you? Slow down man" John looked at Charles and said "you will never know my pain? Your heart was never broken but mine Shattered into pieces, Jency put those broken pieces back together, but the scars will remain forever" said John... "Will you stop it John!!" growled Sandeep in anger.

John looked at Charles "he knows my pain" Pointing at Sandeep "but he is not willing to help me" complained John... looking at Charles he continued "you know what? I never used to go to church, until I saw her. when I got to know that she never missed Sunday services, I made sure I was there just to get a glance at her. John laughed and if I missed church, I can only see her on Monday. That is one whole day without a glimpse of her beautiful face. But now it's been years since I've seen her". his eyes welled up with tears. "Few people are just like passing clouds John, we should forget things and move on," said Charles. "He is right John. this is what I've been trying to tell you from day one" said Sandeep... "It is not that easy to forget someone whom you thought was your future" and told Charles the whole story.

John took another beer bottle in his hand and gulped half of it, Charles stopped him, John said "it's because of me she had to discontinue her studies, it was because of me she…" and he pounded the table... Sandeep said "calm down John think about Jency. what if she got to know all these? Do you wanna break her heart too?". "No, no she can't take it, dude, she loves me a lot" replied John. "Then listen to me, let's not stop searching for Roslyn but I want you to have control of yourself, crying and drinking will not make her appear in front of you, say sorry to her when we find her, but for now don't make Jency cry". said Sandeep, John nodded his head... Charles said "let's have dinner and go back to our rooms Sandeep if we sit here he might keep drinking", Sandeep agreed and all three went to have dinner.

John who felt high after chugging almost two bottles of beer felt a little better after having dinner... They finished up and were on the way back to their room, Sandeep and Charles said Goodnight and got into their room... While walking towards his room John put his hand inside his pocket and he found something, he took it out and it was a lemon that Swamiji gave him, he threw the lemon away mumbling "why the hell is this in my pocket when the ghost has already left". He felt a strong gust of wind when he threw it but John just ignored and got into the room, and he turned to close the door, but the door got closed on its own.

2. The minute Jency ran out, the door closed on its own, John looked around lights flickered, John whispered "RIONA" and he heard someone laughing aloud which echoed all over the room... "What do you want from me? Why, why are you troubling me?" Asked John sweating and stammering... the laughter still echoing when he heard Jency knocking on the door "John come on food is ready" immediately the laughter stopped and door opened automatically... "I will freshen up and come" said John wiping away his sweat.

John walked into the washroom,splashed water on his face and looked around, he started panicking. He quickly wiped his face took a deep breath and bolted out of the room too scared to stay there alone. He went to the living room he sat down with his kids. He felt relaxed playing with his little ones. Jency served dinner for John and informed the kids it was time to go to sleep. John was not ready to stay alone he said "why don't you guys sit with me till I finish my dinner I will tell you new stories! Liya and Ziya said "Oh yes, we will wait for daddy we are bored of mummy's same old stories".

Once John finished his dinner all four of them walked into the kids room, John started telling them some interesting stories, once the kids were asleep Jency and John went to their room. Jency was feeling drowsy, while John was scared of the ghost he kept talking to Jency. She tried her best to stay awake but her eyelids were not able to fight gravity anymore… Jency fell asleep. The ghost did not disturb John but he was still scared. He couldn't sleep. He was tossing and turning throughout the night. It was already morning, the sun raised and John finally slept... Around 11 am John woke up, he looked at the clock and walked into the washroom to freshen up, he got ready and came out to the living room. "Why didn't you wake me up Jency?" asked John. "Because you were awake the whole night, what happened? Why didn't you sleep?

She hesitated a bit before continuing.. Are you worried about Roslyn? are her memories still troubling you?" asked Jency softly looking at the ground... John smiled, walked up to her and lifted her chin up with his hand "what's there to worry about Roslyn?" asked John... "She is living a happy life, she has a good husband, a wonderful child… of course I was guilty cause a thought that I had spoiled her career but no.. I didn't. She is a successful doctor now so… no…I have nothing to worry about. I am very happy for her and why would I think about past when god has blessed me with a loving and beautiful wife. Jency smiled wide with her love for john glimmering in her eyes. He held her in his arms and said "forget about Roslyn… it's history, remove her from your mind and always remember now John's life is only Jency.

John's mobile started ringing, it was Sandeep. Without any delay, John answered the call... "I got Riona's address" said Sandeep. "What? Really? That was quick" said John. "yes that's because she is staying in the same address since college days". "Cool I will meet you in few minutes near your place, let's go" said John and cut the call... John quickly finished his breakfast and went to meet Sandeep.

They went to Riona's house, it wasn't too difficult for them to locate ... Once they reached her house, Sandeep rang the doorbell someone opened the door. John and Sandeep's eyes popped out, A girl with "Blue Eyes" opened the door, it was none other than Riona they both looked at each other and said " RIONA ", and she said "John???"