Get My Sama Back

Namit

[FLASHBACK CONTINUED( 3 months back)]

“Are you Samaira's Mr. Stranger?” Dhruv put up a question I wasn’t anticipating at all.

I looked at him, curious. I remember I didn't mention that but indeed Sama used to call me Mr. Stranger as she didn't know my name.

“How do you know that?” I asked him. I was desperate to know.

“First sit and then I will tell you.” I sat down. Arjun got busy typing something on his phone.

“Remember I told you there is a girl whom I consider as my sister?”He asked and I nodded a yes.

“It's Samaira,” he added.

“She told me about her Mr. Stranger and how much she loved her Mr. Stranger.” My eyes widened on his statement.

Did she love me?

“Yes, she loved you. I warned her that she should not trust anyone she has never met, but she was so adamant, she said he is not anybody and he is her Mr.Stranger and she trusts him.”Reading my thoughts like a spiritualist he straightened out my unarticulated query.

“Then, wh-what about those pic-pictures?” I stammered and tried hard not to cry. I didn't even cry when she left. I just became a ruthless jerk but now that I knew she loved me, it was difficult for me to control my emotions.

“These are morphed and here is the proof,” Arjun told me and gave me his phone.

“I asked my assistant to look into it and you know he is professional. See for yourself.” The pictures were really morphed. I couldn't believe I hated her all these years for no reason. But what about the recording? I heard her saying she was just playing around, I needed to know that.

“And what about the recording?” I asked Dhruv.

“What recording?” He questioned. I played the recording I had that had worked as a final nail in the coffin for me, detaching me from her in the end.

“It was a dialogue from a play. We were about to do that play and these dialogues were of someone else. Samaira was just helping her and reciting those dialogues.” And that was it. I tried to hate her just because of a stupid misunderstanding. I didn't even ask her and believed a lie like a fool.

“It means someone played them both,” Arjun said, he was shocked. I failed to comprehend what he meant by both?

“What do you mean Arjun?” My eyes lingered on Arjun, restlessly waiting for him to speak up. Before he could answer Dhruv’s next question was raised.

“Namit, what about those pictures? Why do you have those pictures?” Dhruv showed me that old phone.

I told them what happened in the morning and how I was still unaware of those pictures. Whether it was her or not, those pictures were of a girl trapped in a dark room and her body was full of bruises. The last picture was a little clear which showed her face. It was my Sama. At that moment I knew I had to return to India, see if she was doing fine or not.

“I need to go. . . I-I need to check on her, I need to see i-if she is okay or not.” I started panicking the moment there was the mention of those pictures.

“Namit listen, Namit for God’s sake listen!” Dhruv shouted, trying to calm me. But I was beyond any listening.

‘How could I forget those pictures?’ Musing I reprimanded myself for forgetting about those pictures even for a bit. I got up at once, ready to dash out when Dhruv pushed me back into the recliner.

“She is fine. .Samaira is fine and well. You have to calm down if you want to see her.” He chastised.

“She is fine?” I asked.

“Yes Namit, she is fine and I have recently met her,” Dhruv replied.

“What about those pictures?” I asked him.

“Okay, guys now let me speak and not as a friend, but as a lawyer.” Arjun gathered both my and Dhruv’s attention.

“Dhruv already told me about those pictures and as a lawyer, I have analyzed things so you both have to listen, okay.” Hearing him we both nodded.

“So here we go. Namit saw Samaira and fell in love with her. They started talking and soon Samaira also fell for him, but someone didn't want them together. He sent some morphed pictures and that audio clip to Namit and this someone was so aware of Namit's every move that he knew he would try to check if the pictures were morphed or not so he sent his people as professionals and Namit believed them. On the party night, someone went to Samaira and told her that her Mr. Stranger is waiting for her at the backside of the college and when she went there she was kidnapped.”

“Kid-. Kidnapped?” I asked wiping off the sweat from my forehead. I couldn’t believe what he was saying.

“Yes Namit, Samaira was kidnapped,” Dhruv confirmed.

“Let me continue guys,” Arjun spoke up.

“So that someone probably wanted to harm Namit, so he sent those pictures to Namit and tried to threaten him that if he wants to save her then he needs to meet that person, but Namit never saw those pictures.”

“What exactly happened to her?” I asked tears had already started forming by then. It was so difficult to believe that all that had happened because of my foolishness and over sensitivity. I should have got the guts to speak to her before assuming anything.

“She was tortured for a week. She was beaten every day. We tried every way to track her. Her family, friends and I were trying to find her. I even contacted Arjun for the same. Since you already left for London and you were already dealing with your heartbreak I didn't want to bother you so I didn't tell you. I am sorry Namit if I would have asked for your help that time things won't have turned out like this.” Dhruv said, his face hung low. The entire incident did take a toll on him too like me.

“She feels guilty that she never got a chance to meet Mr. Stranger. Even after all this she still thinks she is at fault.” He added.

“It's all because of me. I am a ruthless monster. I destroyed everything. I didn't trust her. I detached myself from everyone. I hurt you guys as well. I am not even a good friend.” I sobbed. My heartfelt like exploding that very moment.

“Guys it's no one's fault, please stop blaming yourselves. And Namit don't you dare to say that. You are not only a good friend, you are the best brother. We are brothers by heart, you forgot that. You were always there when any of us needed you, so stop blaming yourself for everything.” Arjun pleaded and engulfed me in a hug, which was soon joined by Dhruv.

Inquisitive to know what happened to Sama’s kidnapper I questioned, “Did you guys find him?” after we had pulled away from the hug.

“He tried to run away and got into an accident and died at the spot. Police were not able to identify him as his face was run over. And we couldn't ask Samaira how he looked as she was not in a good state. Since he died the case closed.” Dhruv said.

“Ho-How is she now?” I asked.

“She is fine, but not the same. It took her one year to become normal. She suffered a lot, Namit. Actually, you both are still suffering.” Dhruv said.

“I will not let her suffer anymore. I will bring back her smile. I will bring my Sama back.” I promised.

At that moment Arjun’s phone rang. The caller id showed that it was my Uncle. He motioned us before putting the call on speaker.

“Hi Arjun, have you met Namit today? I have been calling him since morning but he is not picking up and when I called at his office, his secretary informed me that he didn't go to the office today. It's very unusual for him to skip work. Can you check up on him?” Uncle said, sounding worried.

“Uncle, don't worry, I am with Namit and the phone is on speaker,” Arjun said, clearing his throat.

“Uhh hello Uncle, sorry actually I lost my phone yesterday and today I got up late with a hangover from last night’s office party. That's why I skipped office. By the way, why did you call this late? Anything urgent?” I asked, eyeing Arjun once.

“I was just checking up on you since you were not receiving your call. Rest a bit more, I will call later.”

“Uncle please drop the formalities. Tell me why did you call?” I asked.

“Actually I wanted you to do an interview.” He said, sounding anxious from the other side.

Everyone knew I hated being interviewed. Most journalists were keen on my personal lifestyle and their constant queries irritated me.

“Uncle you know I don't like being interviewed, and. . ..”

“ I know, but Aditi is a famous journalist and a friend of my employee. My employee personally asked if I could arrange it and I couldn't say no. That employee is like a daughter to me. . .”

I wanted to say no again but Dhruv interrupted me, “Hello Uncle, this is Dhruv. I am also here, is that journalist Aditi Mehra?”

“Yes. Why? Do you know her?”

“Uncle, can you tell me the name of your employee?” Dhruv asked eagerly.

“Samaira Kashyap. Do you know her too?”

It was her! She worked in my uncle's company. My Sama worked there and my uncle already considered her as his daughter.

“Yes Uncle, I know them both. Don't worry, Namit will do the interview. Right, Namit?” Dhruv asked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

”Yes-Yes, in fact, I would love to.” I replied.

“Thanks, son, I will talk to you guys tomorrow. Bye.” Uncle said and disconnected the call.

Now I had to think of a way to Get My Sama Back and for that I needed to convince Aditi, her friend to help me.