CUFFLINKED FOREVER

Rajat:

I stood up,that piece of filth still coughing and splattering..

Glancing at Diksha, I saw that her face was pale with fear, as she looked at me with sheer disbelief in her eyes..

Savi covered her mouth and ran out of the room..

God, she was so scared...

"Savi, Savi ruko please!!"

But she did not stop until we reached the gate. Turning around, she took a deep breath and her whimpering voice cracked something inside me..

"Y-ye kya t-tha Raj-rajat?"

"Maine kaha tha tumhe jaane ke liye Savi."

"Kya ho jaata agar main chali jaati toh? M-maar dalte usey?"
"Agar mera bass chalta toh haan..maar dalta usey."

She stared at me..the fear in her eyes turning into something else..

"Savi, maine bohot criminals ko handle kiya hai..please..aise--"

"A-aise handle kiya hai? Isliye w-wo log..keh rahe the ki...Rajat, jo aaj tumne kiya hai, wo...wo insaan nahi kar sakta.."

Her words cut through me. Was she considering me inhuman?

"Aur jo unhone kiya Savi..wo insaan kar sakte hain? Tumhare saath jo hua.."

"Iska matlab ye nahi ki aap wo sab karo Rajat!"

"Savi...." I took a step closer and she raised her hand to stop me.

"M-mere paas mat aana...please..mujhe darr lag raha hai.."

"Savi, please..tum jaanti ho main tumhe kabhi hurt nahi karunga.."

"Kya guarantee hai?" and I froze in disbelief.

"Matlab? Tumhe lagta ki hai main tumhare saath bhi wo sab..."

"Kya pata Rajat..kya pata kisi din gusse mein aake tum---"

"Main bekasooron ko saza nahi deta Savi."

"Bekasoor...right...tum unhe saza nahi dete Rajat, jinhe tum bekasoor maante ho.. kisi din agar main bhi tumhare nazar mein gunehgaar ban gayi toh?" her insecurity rattled me..

"Savi.. please...tum mujhe galat samajh rahi ho...humaare beech mein itna sab kuchh ho gaya Savi, fir bhi tum kaise soch sakti ho aise?"

"Itne dino tak..maine tumhara ye roop dekha nahi tha..aur ab jab maine dekh liya hai..toh maine decide kiya hai ki..."

"Nahi Savi..." my insides rumbled with fear..

"Zindagi mein dobara kabhi mere ya Dikshu ke aas paas mat aana Rajat Thakkar. Hum ek haiwan ke dost nahi ban sakte..." and she left, turning her back on me.

My heart refused to believe what had just happened.. what did she..

Please someone pinch me and pull me out of this nightmare.. please..

My vision blurred, as I grasped the nearest wall to balance myself.

A dagger had struck right across my heart: Savi had left.

...........

Diksha:

"Savi, tune Rajat se baat ki? Uska phone nahi lag raha hai.."

Savi was oddly silent and Rajat wasn't receiving my calls..

After a few minutes, Savi asked in a small voice, "Abhi bhi nahi utha raha kya?"