It ends with US . . .

Continued from #CuriousCaseOfChokshi . . . .

Many spoke about the murder of Kunal Chokshi, some spoke about Amruta and everyone speculated about the murderer. Neither the police nor the online junta could figure out who the culprit was and what his/her intentions were in the murder.

Sameer Reddy, always a silent lover, was disturbed about the country's speculations about him. Most people thought the murderer was some crazy hooligan who had been wronged by Kunal sometime in the past. Sameer wished that he could tell the world why he had killed Kunal. The one and only reason being that he did not deserve to live. Sameer had loved Amruta for all the time they had known each other. After his conversation with Amruta, where she told him about what had happened between her and Kunal, he had moved back to Mumbai immediately. His intention was not to try and win her over, but to be there for her when she needed him the most.

Though he knew what kind of a person Kunal was, Sameer never had the guts to tell the truth to Amruta. In the process, he had jeopardized her life as well as his own. He supported Amruta throughout the court hearings and police interrogation. They all waited for justice to be served. It was almost nine months since the night when Kunal had laid his hands on Amruta and the court was still not convinced about Kunal's role in the heinous act. Everyone knew that Kunal's family had wealth and very strong connections.

Even though Kunal was under the radar of the police, he continued calling Amruta and threatening her about the dire consequences she would be facing because she had dared to go against him. Sameer had been witness to many such phone calls after which Amruta would break down and cry for hours. He had seen her reducing to a wilted flower in front of his eyes and he couldn't tolerate her misery anymore.

That night, after one of the 'calls' from Kunal, Amruta fell really sick and took to her bed. Sameer then decided to call Kunal and give him a piece of his mind. After a very abusive fight where Kunal refused to back down, Sameer decided to head over to his place and finish this once and for all. The murder that happened that night can't be constituted as an accident. Sameer knew that he had no choice but to end it. He had to protect Amruta and there was no other way to do it without killing Kunal.

He knew he would have to face whatever consequences would come his way. When the news of the death reached Amruta, she refused to believe it and continued like nothing had happened. She became delirious and refused to accept reality. She kept saying that Kunal wasn't always bad to her, they had some very good times and that Kunal had just gone away for a while and would come back a reformed person.

After a few months, it was Sameer's birthday and Amruta decided to surprise him. She knew he had been there for her during her tough times but had no idea how much he loved her. She decided to take a cake for his birthday and surprise him. She was let in by one of his roommates and tiptoed to his bedroom. The door was slightly ajar and she could hear him speaking on the phone. She decided to wait for him to finish his call and then take out the cake and surprise him.

She then heard sobbing sounds from inside the room and peaked in through the gap. She could see Sameer sitting on his bed with the phone clutched in one of his hands and pressed to the ear while the other hand was frantically punching into one of the pillows. She realized that he was speaking to his mother and she felt like an intruder. She didn't want to eavesdrop on his conversation but it was important for her to know what was wrong. She was not going to leave him alone in this mess.

She then heard him say her name and she became further alert to the conversation. 'Amma, I can't tell her my feelings. After all these years I can not tell her that I have loved her all my life. She is still in trauma. She doesn't want to accept that Kunal is dead. She still loves him, even after what he did to her. In all this, how can I tell her that I love her? Ma, she will never understand what I did and why I did it. She will forever blame me for his death and I can't lose her. I won't be able to survive if she thought of me as a murderer. She will hate me forever and I won't be able to live with that.'

Sameer heard a loud noise from the corridor and he rushed out to see what had happened. He saw Amruta standing in the corridor, white faced and the cake smeared on the floor near her feet. They both continued staring at each other for what seemed like hours.

After two years. . . . .

Sameer Reddy climbed down the stairs two at a time, picked up the suitcases and ran up the stairs again. The place was brimming with people and aunties and uncles were merrily shouting at each other. The children ran around pulling chairs and screeching. The whole atmosphere was charged with energy and happiness.

'Sam beta, you stop running around here and there. Go call Raja and Sundar, they will help with the luggage. Where is your Punche?'

Sameer looked at his hassled mother and smiled. It was the happiest day in his life.

'Amma, everything ready na! Why are you worrying? I will finish this and go'

'Do you want to be late for your own wedding?' She pulled him by the arm and sent him to his room to change.

While Sameer was getting ready in his room, Amruta looked resplendent in her traditional Nauvari saree and Nath. She couldn't wait to see Sam. She knew she was going to tease him about his traditional Indian attire which he always felt uncomfortable in!

Special credit to my brother, Ujwal, for helping me out with these stories :)