Good bye! (Concluding Part)

(I apologize for the delay. But the circumstances were not in my hands.)

In the end it is always the same! Everyone finds what they were looking for. The reality of life is that few would know what they were looking for and appreciate it when they find it and few would keep looking even if they had it! That was perhaps true for Nisha. She knew what she wanted as long as she did not have it and when she did have it...She never knew what she truly wanted and kept looking. In the process she went farther than her destiny; till she reached the end of the road and for her there was no turning back. And she stopped looking...

Deepak looked at Nisha standing all by herself on the edge of the cliff. Their last night together, he thought and looked back at the people gathered around the fire, telling stories, laughing and enjoying the peace. Divya sat huddled next to him, her head resting on his shoulder and eyes sparkling. She was content sitting with everyone tonight and his eyes drifted back at the solitary figure, outlined by the moonlight. He could see the smoke curling away into the dark night and something in his heart turned. He would not see her again...Tomorrow when they all went back, she would go away forever. It had been a last trip. Nisha was flying to US of A two days later and from this place she would go and spend one last day with her aunt. It had all been planned as a farewell for Nisha and it was time to say bye. Pulling his hand away from Divya he attempted to stand. She frowned and then smiled as he kissed her gently on her forehead.
"Five minutes." He said and signaled towards Nisha. Divya nodded and straightened. She knew what Deepak was feeling or she thought she knew what he was feeling. Nisha was easily a cherished friend and she was going away forever. She was content sitting by the fire, her face glowing with happiness. Deepak had spent the entire day with her and that was all she had wanted. She was predisposed to happiness at the moment. And besides, the stories were very interesting.

"Hi..." he said softly and she turned, her face bathed in the moonlight.
"Hi." she replied and looked away at the vast emptiness. It was amazing standing there, just by herself.
"What are you thinking?" he asked. Shrugging she threw away the cigarette.
"Nothing really. Was enjoying the void."
"Ah..."
"What?" she turned to look at the smile mocking her. He shrugged and took out a cigarette and lighted it.
"Nothing. Nice statement...that's all!" There was that characteristic satire in his voice which she knew of.
"Well I really wasn't thinking anything!"
"Right..."
"Deepak!"
"Nisha!!!"
She looked away then and felt his eyes on her face, trying to read beneath the layers of her thoughts.
"It was a nice trip."
"Yes it was."
"Deepak...sometimes I wonder..." she did not finish the statement as her heart hastened to remind her that it was too late. Way too late for her to even start wondering. She had done enough of wondering, analysing and reanalyzing. No good had it done and no good would it do any further!
"What do you wonder Nisha?" he asked and she shook her head.
"It's not important."
"And why would you decide that?" his voice was impatient and iced with just a hint of anger. She looked into his eyes then and instantly he knew and she knew he knew!
"Nisha...say it!"
"Why should I say it? Would it change anything? Would it make any difference?"
"Yes it would. It would mean a lot to me." Deepak said and she knew he meant it.
"I never stopped Nisha. For there was nothing left to stop. Long before you said whatever you said...I had crossed that point of no return!"
"Deepak..."
"Say it once. I promise I would..."
"How's Divya?" she cut him mid sentence and his face changed. Face contorting he took a long drag from his cigarette.
"Do you like her?" he asked and she nodded.
"She is very pretty."
Nodding he puffed away on his cigarette.
"You love her Deepak. It's all there. We were always just good friends and we shall always be."
"What if it had been different?"
He was in pain and she could feel it in her heart. He did like Divya...almost loved her. But he searched for more...searched for someone else. She had long made her decision. There were things one had no control on and at this moment she felt helpless, bound by her own priorities.
"I will miss you!" she said and he nodded. Tears filled her eyes then and he walked closer.
"Will miss you too."
He hugged her then and she let the tears fall. Holding on to him she felt him kiss her gently on her neck and she did not resist. He was holding on to her and she knew she had hurt him, yet again. But it was for the best!

"Hey Nisha...how do you plan that we say good bye to you if you are not here?" Priyank shouted from the group and she turned to look at the people gathered around fire. For her. They walked back to the crowd and she gave them a watery smile.
"Don't cry yet..." Priyank joked and she held Deepak's hand tighter as tears started to fall without any prelude.
"Thanks guys. I would miss all of you..."
"Hey...Its only three years. We shall all be together once again!" Priyank said and they all were standing. Her eyes went from one face to another and she smiled. Letting go of Deepak's hand she went on to hug them one by one. That was the moment...

Deepak's hand was still arched, feeling the warmth of the fingers that had been there for a while. And then someone else was holding his hand and he turned to realize Divya, standing close to him. He clutched her tightly and then let it go. He turned and walked towards the room. There was nothing left now.

Nisha saw him walking away and closed her eyes. It was better this way...A dream is beautiful as long as it is a dream.

Divya looked at Deepak walking away and felt the pain start knocking at her heart strings again. She had wanted to tell Deepak and then he had told her about this trip. Tomorrow they would go back and...she shuddered at the thought. It would break him completely!
"I have decided Divya...and not one word from you...you are leaving that job. Its only a stupid call center. Your Australian Visa has arrived and you would go and pursue your studies. That's final. You crib or cry...your call!" her dad's voice sounded in her ears and she knew she would go. Yes she loved Deepak but she also knew her father! He would never understand and besides...Deepak had been the sweetest dream of her life. The fact remained that when the night ended people said Good bye. And these ten months in the call center had come to an end. It was time for to say Good bye.