All the information they gathered was good, but not enough to simplify the things in front of them. And much to Amrita’s complexity it was something that she wanted to know where Rumi is and how Kul ended up in the isolation where people would never dare to go?

“Can you please help us with the address of Nirdosh and Shelja? Where they are and where we can meet them?” Amrita asked an attendant in the university office.

The attendant replied, “Aratrika mam can help you. Last month there was an old batch reunion from year 2003 and she was the organizing head. “

“Where can we meet her?” Amrita asked in a bit curious manner, seeing a small ray of hope after so many days, as she had read the name Aratrika in the letter.

The winters in the capital are eerily sweet and the requisite warmth from the sun and the woolens actually adds grace to one’s appearance. One can see people sitting under the tree in the lush green lawns of the college and occupying the near window seats in cafeteria just to soak the warmth from sun and add a glitter to one’s rosy cheeks in the wintry afternoons.

Amrita asked for Aratrika and she was addressed there after almost a ride of 200+ stairs up and down. Yet she had this excitement in her as she knew from Aratirka she can find a suitable way leading to Rumi.

She was standing outside the lecture hall where Aratrika was teaching. There was a pleasing silence in the ambience and it was still 15 minutes for the lecture to get over, so Vikram and Amrita decided to wait outside the lecture hall amid taking a walk in the corridor that was alternatively allowing the sunrays to play come and go.

Vikram- “Do you think we, I mean you will be able to conclude this work? I am not questioning you but don’t you think you are running behind something that may not even exist now. What if Rumi fails to recognize everything from her past and what if Kul never meets the fate that we think he should?”

She interrupted Vikram and confronted him saying, “Vikram try to think why are we are chosen for this work? I mean we never knew that we will be a part of something like this. Something from where we might not gain anything but for sure we have nothing to lose and you know what hurts me, you say why am I doing this and I say we are still doing this.”

“The lecture is over we should get back to work.” Amrita said.

“Hey my name is Amrita and you must be Aratrika.”

“Yes, can I help you?”

“Yes, I am here to know about Kulraj Singh Rathore.” Hearing a familiar name, there was a questionable yet controlled excitement on Aratrika’s face. She knew somewhere deep down that the day when they all thought of it as the end was just indeed a long leap to get over this gap some day. Past is a turn in peril and one should drive wisely seeing all the milestones going by while living life on daily basis. Aratrika was the only one, who was in contact with Rumi and also having a rapport with Nirdosh and Shelja. She clearly knew what the name Kul still signified in their lives.

“Amrita can you meet me in half an hour. I mean wait in cafeteria, I will get back to you soon.” Aratrika said and left. Already there were many mysteries for Amrita and Vikram and to add one more was not what they asked for.

At the cafeteria-

“Hey Amrita, here are Nirdosh and Shelja.” Amrita couldn’t believe at first that it was all happening. She never knew that she will be meeting all of them together so soon but she welcomed all that.

Amrita and Vikram could feel ardent happiness inside and around them as they were sitting in front of a group of people that once lived a wonderful life together in the name of friendship and love for one another and they were here surely for some answers. And they had this thought that now the coast is distantly visible.

To be continued…

This is the Third Chapter (Part Two) of the story. Links to the rest – Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter Three (Part One).