journey part 4

“Stop it Prateek. don’t give me that wicked smile. I am really getting tensed now.”

“Ha ha. Chill. I am as normal as you are. This is still a situation created for you. And you have not yet given your answer.”

“You said you love me. And that you would not be able to see me going to someone else. But even now you wont be able to prevent me from going away where I had to go. Even now if you kill me I would not be coming with you, but I would be going to him, like he has already decided.” 

There was a pause and then she continued again “This anyways is my last journey on earth, no matter you decide to kill me or let me go. In some days I would be starting my new journey, new life. You would just prepone the dates of my journey by a couple of days. I am not getting married. I broke up with him as soon as I got my medical report. I am here for few more days now.”

There was a long silence and for the first time Prateek took the initiative to break it. “What should I say!! You have really changed a psycho killer into a good person.”

She managed a smile.

Then again after a long silence Prateek opened up “Tanu, some of what I said today is true.”

“What? You seriously are a Psycho serial killer?” said Tanu giving a grin.

With a serious tone Prateek said “No Tanu. About me being madly in love with you. All that is true.”

“Oh thank you for letting me know. Now I know that there s someone who s madly in love with me. I will happily accept death.”

Prateek was irritated. “Stop it Tanu. I am serious. It s not the killer who s talking. I really do love you.”

“I understand Prateek. And about the last thing I said, it is true too. This really is my last journey. I am counting my days, or rather hours. But seriously, thank you for letting me know how you feel. It feels good when you come to know that there are people who really love you.”

There was pin drop silence again. No one spoke. They decided it was better to get some sleep. And ended their day.

It was still dark. Sun was about rise. Prateek had no sleep that night. Only one thought kept coming to his mind ‘How can she so calm and peaceful knowing that she barely has time?’

Just then he herd her voice. “Good morning. Where are we? In hell of heaven?”

“We are still sharing a long journey. Who might have dreamt that The merciless psycho serial killer could be changed by just a single talk?!” said he, trying to be as playful as she was.

“Tanu I want to thank you for the most precious time I had in my life. I was under depression. I had even thought of ending up my life. That was the reason why chose this train. I knew that this train would be deserted, and that I could do what I wanted to do. But you came into what was supposed to be the last day of my life. After listening to you I realized that my problems are nothing compared to the problem that many others have. And that my solution is a foolish one. You gave me a new life. You gave me new spirit. You showed me new path. I will always remember you as the lamp that gave light to my life. Thank you….”