Sanjana,

''And the gold medallist is Sanjana Khanna.'' The Auditorium echoed with applause. I accepted the degree with a smile and waved at my best fried. It has been exactly 2 years since I met or spoke  to my Rishi. 

When I can gave back to University, Rishi was gone. He couldn't take the news of my engagement. He did help in breaking it but he couldn't trust my strength to fight it off. I don't blame him, I never gave him the confidence that I will fight for us. I asked him the days to live my life. I never said that I would fight for us or make us work. I just wanted to live the days before surrendering my life to my family. I wish he could see that I fought, and hard for my dreams and for him. 

In last year, Jai had been a guardian for me but he never disclosed about Rishi's whereabouts. I requested his contact but Jai refused and said I would reach him in right time. When Jai passed out of university, I cried buckets and he took me out for ice cream and pampered me like a baby. 

I still remember our last conversation

''I will miss you jai.''

He smiled, ''I know, so will I.'' he wiped my cheeks . ''Sanjana, I want to smile and wait for the day you are going to see Rishi again.''

''Did you speak to him? Does he ask about me?'' I was curious

Jai smiled. ''All in right time Sanju. Have patience.''

I came back to present when I heard Pooja calling my name. ''Where are you lost? Its time for pictures.'' She pulled me along as I stood withe passing batch , a proud smile stretched on my face.

We clicked many more pictures as groups and the final one was when threw our graduation caps up in air. In that moment, I missed my family. Though I have my dad's and Chachu's full support in open, Dadu hasn't spoken to me since I created the drama. Bhai keeps visiting me with his wife and now little daughter. I have a great job in hand in Mumbai and I will leave in a day. I had Job is Delhi as well but my mind was to find Rishi and shake him up. How could he just vanish from my life? Why didn't he trust me ? I want to beat him to pulp.

''You wanted to go somewhere?'' Pooja

''Yes!'' I replied with a smile.

***

''Seriously! You want to do bungee jumping before starting a new life? Or you are planning to end yours by jumping off the cliff and mine by framing me for your murder.'' In about 2 hrs, Pooja was screaming at me, her pixie hair standing up in fear. 

I just smiled at her fear, ''don't worry, I won't die before killing Rishi.'' The instructor gave me a thumbs up and I jumped off declaring my love for Rishi. My voice crashed against the surrounding cliffs creating an echo of his name I swinged for a while before I joined Pooja, she looked ready to faint. ''I am not doing this and you will just come along.''

I nodded. best part about passing out was, Pooja was joining me in Mumbai. She had signed a three year contract with Rishi's mother and we had plans to stay together. I wanted to correct all wrong, I was ready to do all to win his family and then him back.  

***

''Sanju, if you need anything pls call me. Your brother will be there in few hours.'' Karan bhai hugged me tight. he had insisted on us taking the flight but I wanted to be by own. Plus, Pooja wasn't comfortable taking the favour. We had our train from Delhi and bhai decided to see us off. ''Be good girls, no roaming  around in the night.'' I hugged my brother all emotional. ''Take care of everyone.'' I whispered.

''I will, including Dadu.'' He replied pecking my head.

As the train jerked, I waved at him walking back to my berth. Pooja watched me for a moment and then gave me a hug. ''You know what, I am glad you fought for me. Had you not, I would have been a bitch and would have missed being your friend.''

I frowned. ''I am adorable, I would have won you anyways.'' And we laughed. I have taken a lot of vacation with family and all have been luxe, but this journey with my friend was different. Leaning against the window, I smiled to self, this was my beginning, and I will make it memorable. Closing my eyes, I whispered again, ''I love you Rishi.''

***

''Why do you look constipated?'' I asked Pooja next morning as she sat with her eyes closed and body rocking front and back. ''I need to use the loo and none are free.'' I nodded looked around. It was an hour for us to reach so I decided to help my friend. 

''Pls move, she sick.'' I screamed frantically as  Pooja stared at me in shock. ''throw up now.'' I glared. She blinked pretending throwing up, I helped my friend, way to the wash room making her scare the passengers. People who queued  outside the washroom quickly jumped back allowing her to take the lead. I kept my fake worry till she came out and then helped her to the seat. few gave us some good DIY for a weak stomach and we note of everything.

Once we go our taxi we kept laughing like maniac and the driver halted once to double check if we were high on something.

Dad had used his contacts and go us a rental apartment. he wanted to buy one for me but I refused. It was a tiny 1 bhk with an open kitchen and a small balcony. We took a deep breath and then hugged each other tight .

''When do you start?'' Pooja asked

''After a week.''

''I will be out tomorrow, Roma aunty wants me to attend a work shop before I go on board with the project.'' I thought and then walked to Pooja. ''Can I ask you a favour.''

Pooja shifted and sat opposite to me. ''I know, If I see him, I will kick him. And I will try all to figure out where is he?'' I smiled and nodded , a small hope bubbling my chest. I made a small prayer to see my Rishi soon.

Rishi

 I Stared down the from my high rising building complex. The life on the other side glass seemed bustling with energy and mine, seemed to be have frozen. When I go the call from Sanjana's brother for help, I did what I could. But I couldn't stay back. I knew she wouldn't be able to fight, she never gave me a promise and her being with someone else, broke me. 

For past 2 years, I had the opportunity to go for a exchange program with a leading US university and I decided to take it up. Jai, who had always been with me decided it was time I took this journey alone. I threw myself into studies and did good. I got myself a good job and decided I wanted to be here till I was over Sanjana.

''Sanjana!'' Her name rolled of my tongue went deep into my chest. I rubbed the where I felt the dull ache. I have had flings before but Sanjana became something more. The fearless Rishi Mehra was so scared of losing her that I ran away. I still live the moment we spent together. Jai asked if I wanted to know of her but I refused, I needed o move on.

Taking a deep breath, I moved into the shower. The night was young and I was planning to enjoy it to he fullest. I chose a black silk shirt for he evening. As I did my hair, my eyes went to the tattoo on my chest. It was the anime version of my Sanjana. I smiled caressing it. buttoning up , I left the top ones undone . ''Time to be the Bad boy.''

***

Downton was a place where night owls gathered to start the weekend and so did I. Making my way to the bar, I ordered myself a drink. The blasting music, shaking bodies and alcohol were good escape for my mind and I enjoyed the way it came.

I looked around, couples drank to the verge of collapsing. Some were so into each other that telling their faces apart was difficult. I chuckled at the irony, morning they wouldn't even remember each other. They were here for the hunger of bodies and in a way it was fine. Getting ones soul involved with someone and not being able to have them in your life kills you every moment.

***

''Care to dance?''

''No''

''Look at me atleast, you won't be able to refuse.'' The girl seemed persistent. I finished my drink and towered her. Locking my eyes I smirked, ''I don't see anything special.''

She suddenly lost her smile. ''You are a jerk.''

''And you are a who***. You think I haven't noticed you throwing yourself at every guy with a pocket. '' That came out before I could zip my mouth. She cursed once walking away.

I watched her leave, and then found a group staring at me. Ignoring them, I decided to cut my night short go back home.

Moving to the parking, I was about to get into my car when I found the same group surrounding it .

''Look who is here'' The girl from the club taunted. I knew she was trouble. The guys with her straightened up. ''Give us your wallet, watch and the car keys.''

''Come get it.'' I challenged. I lost Sanjana, but here on no one take a thing from me. The bulky one from the group decided to take the lead. Idiot. I knew he was the leader,  I could put him down, rest will flee. He extended his hand and I pretended handing him my watch, but instead I pressed the never on his wrist making him kneel. He cried in pain and knocked him off with single punch. ''Who is next?'' Others lifted hands backing off.

After coming here, I have taken up lot of body strengthening activities  to let me frustration out. I have been into lot of destructive activities for a year. I got in to street fighting.  It was when my parents came in last year that they put some sense into my head. Dad had lectured my for a week and mom made me promise her that wouldn't be reckless.

She reminded that they have been in my life longer than the girl I fell for , who never reciprocated. I decided not be reckless. But when I am alone, she would just peep in from my memories and make me restless. ''I love you Sanajna...still.''

***

third Pov

Roma Mehra watched as model choreographer trained Pooja. Once they were done for the day, Pooja walked into her cabin. ''Hi Mam!''

''Hi Pooja! You are good, but you will need specific diet and exercise   regime to be in shape. I will have it done.''

''Mam! Can I ask a question?'' Pooja asked a little worried

Roma Mehra knew what was coming. ''Pooja, Rishi is fine.''

''Sanjana is here with me. She chose Mumbai to see Rishi. She fought her own. She hasn't been to her home since the day he left. She fought for him, she did what he always pushed her do.''

Roma Mehra smiled but didn't let it show. ''Pooja, In time all will fall into place.  I want you to focus on upcoming shoot. '' Pooja opened her mouth, Roma placed a gentle palm on her cheek, ''Its okay child, they both need sometime.'' She gently Pushed down Pooja on the sofa. ''Pooja, I want them to be together for life, and for that I will test them, prepare them.''

''What if they give up?'' A small tear trickled down Pooja's cheek. Roma knew all about her, she hugged the younger girl tight. ''Pooja, trust me.'' And she nodded

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