Sandhya Pov

Finally Akash is coming today. I should be excited. Right? No I am not. I am very much irritated. Why? Because last two days was the most irritating days of my life. I was unable to concentrate on anything not even my studies and my books whom I once considered as my biggest source of mind diversion.

I just kept on thinking about him only him he is the sole reason of my irritation and the worst part is that he didn't even bother to call me once during this entire two days time and here I am so desperate, I just kept on thinking about the possibilities of his ignorance and the possibilities of why he has framed my picture and kept it on his bed side table?

I finally came up with the conclusion that the moment I will see him I will clear each and every thing. I will confess my feelings. No matter if he feels the same way or not. I just can't stay with false hope that one day I will win his heart and will make him realise my love.

So today when I will see him I am going to tell him everything and as a  result there are only two possibilities available either he will reject me and I will have to bear with the heart break or I will win him. That's it!

I got ready for the college, finished my breakfast, bid goodbye to everyone and left for college by my scooty.

Finally after twenty minutes of struggling with heavy traffic I reached. I parked my baby and went inside the college with full determination. Either this way or that way but with clarification.

I came inside the campus like I am on some secret mission and my first task is to find my traitor Akash. Hehe.

I know very well where to find him? So, I directly went towards the college canteen his first hang out spot.

I entered inside the canteen and roam around. But he is nowhere to be seen. As I was passing through the tables I heard some gossips like,

"Hey did you heard about that dreadful incident."

"Yes I will pray for the injured once and their families."

I wanted to listen more but I am on a mission remember? So I ignored their talks and came out of the canteen.

I move towards the basketball court his another hang out spot. If you can't find Akash anywhere then this is the place where you will definitely get him.

I roam around my eyes in search of his charming face which I am dying to see but same as canteen area he is nowhere to be seen here also.

Where is he? Yes, only one person can confirm exactly where is he? So, without wasting any more minutes I dialled his number.

"Satvik where is your idiot best friend.", I shouted the moment he picked up my call.

"Sandhya.", He said hoarsely as if he is crying.

"Satvik are you crying?", I enquired doubtfully.

"No", He wishpered in a lowered tone.

"Yes Satvik you are. What happened?", I enquired worriedly.

"Sandhya Akash..", He said and paused.

"Akash what Satvik?", I enquired.

All of a sudden my palms started shaking. I started feeling nervous. But why?

"He..", He Said and started sobbing.

"Satvik you are scaring me. Please say what happened to Akash?", I said scaredly.

"The flight from...from which he was coming got crashed.", He cried.

The world around me crashed, no, no it can't be true.

"Satvik if you are messing with me then let me remind you it's not funny. I swear I will break your teeth.", I warned him.

"I wish I was just joking Sandhya I wish I was but I am not.", He said.

My feet trembled I found hard to breathe tears started rolling down my cheeks. No this can't be happening. Nothing can happen to him. He is fine.

"Sandhya are you there? Please say something.", He enquired.

"You are lying. Right? My Akash is fine?", I said hesitantly.

"I don't know Sandhya I am in airport trying to find out everything.", He replied.

"Airport? Okay! I am coming.", I said.

I disconnected the call and rushed towards the exit of the campus. I started my scooty.

I don't want to think anything bad. No he is fine he is absolutely fine. I kept on repeating the same thing while riding my scooty. He is fine nothing bad can happen to him.

I reached the airport. I saw huge crowd of people screaming, shouting & crying outside the airport.

I stay rooted on my place. Nothing will happen to him he will come out of this situation he have to for me for his parents. Tears kept on rolling down my cheeks like waterfall.

"Sandhya.", Someone shouted.

I turn my head towards the direction of the voice and found Satvik waving his hands and gesturing me to come.

I wiped out my tears and dragged my heavy legs with my heavy heart towards him. It's not the time to be weak. I will bring him back. I promise to myself.

"Did you find anything about him?", I asked.

"No the airport staff is not disclosing about the passengers and kept on repeating same thing again and again that they will inform us the moment they will get any information.", Said Satvik.

I don't know what to say I just nodded my head and faced the airport. My eyes landed on a familiar face.

Mahira! She is wearing the airport staff uniform. A new ray of hope filled inside me.

"Mahira...."

I shouted her name but she is too far to hear and the crowd is also not helping me. I remember she has given me her number.

Without wasting any second I rushed towards my scooty I took out my bag from it. I searched for that paper in which she has written her number.

Finally I found it and sighed in relief.

I dialled her number instantly.

"Hello!", She answered.

"Hello Mahira it's Sandhya.", I introduced myself.

"Sandhya if you don't mind can I call you sometime later I am stuck in between something important.", She said.

"No Mahira it's urgent please hear me out once. I am outside the airport. My friend was on that flight.", I said.

"What!", She said shockingly.

"I want information about the passenger named Akash Goenka. Please help me Mahira please help me.", I begged.

"Calm down Sandhya. I will look into it. But Sandhya according to our security team the crash was very dreadful and the survival chances are very rare.", She informed.

"Please don't say like this please. ", I begged.

"I am sorry I will inform you if I find out anything.", She said and disconnected the call.

"Sandhya Mahima Aunty got fainted.", Satvik said worriedly.

"What?", I reacted shockingly.

"Someone from office staff informed her about the plane crash. Binod uncle is taking her to the hospital we need to go.", Satvik grabbed my hand and pulled me with him.

We reached the hospital and rushed inside. Satvik enquired about Mahima Aunty from the reception desk. The receptionist informed us and without wasting any second we went towards her room.

I saw Binod uncle sitting on the chair outside her room. He is crying miserably. Seeing him in such state I lost control over my tears.

The moment you think that your life is going smoothly and now everything is going to be fine exactly on that point of your life the devil called fate started playing his dirty games and punch hard on your face and you realised that it's life which you are living and it can never be smooth. That's what happening with me.

My eyes landed on the God idol placed in hospital lobby. I slowly walked towards it.

"You can't do this to me God you can't. You gave me second chance to live now you can't snatch the reason behind my second chance from me.

No matter how hard my life was I never doubted on you or on your existence like other human beings. I always kept my full faith on you. I am still maintaining it please don't break my trust.", I requested.

Suddenly my cellphone started ringing. I checked it's Mahira calling.

"Hello!", I said hurriedly.

"Sandhya where are you? Just now we received the names of survived passengers. I didn't get the chance to see the list it's with my seniors. They are going to declare the names soon.", She said.

"Okay I am coming.", I answered and hung up the call.

I rushed towards where Satvik and Binod uncle is.

"Satvik airport staff is going to disclose the names of survived passengers we need to reach their soon.", I said while panting heavily.

"You both go. I can take care of her. Bring my son back.", Binod uncle said.

Satvik drive his car like a mad man I don't have any problem with it because I too want to reach the airport as soon as possible.

The moment he stopped his car I didn't wait for him. I came out of the car and ran as fast as I can.

I found the same crowd hovering over a single space like we students do to get the information pasted on the notice board.

I pushed through the crowd to reach the front. Here everyone is worried about the lives of their loved ones and praying for their name to be written on that list.

With lots of difficulties I finally reached closer to that list. With my shaking hands I started scrolling my finger from top to bottom. My finger crossed each unknown name in the hope that next one might be his name. With same hope I reached at the last name and it's also unknown to me.

No this can't be possible. Once again I gathered up my courage and started repeating my action. I scrolled, this time little bit slower. I must have missed his name while searching for  the first time. This time also I ended up with all unfamiliar names in the list.

No no no no nooooooooo. Nothing has happened to him. This list is not correct there are some mistake. My Akash is safe.

Once again I repeated my action and read all the names carefully as if some magic will happen and his name will appear on this list.

No Akash you can't leave me. You can't. I have planned to confess my feelings. You will have to return.

The crowd pushed me backward and this time I let them.

"What happened Sandhya?", Satvik enquired hopefully and kept his hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head in denial his hand instantly dropped from my shoulder.

"You are lying.", He denied to believe me and rushed towards the crowd to find out himself.

I sat down on one of the empty bench.  Suddenly someone grabbed my hand. I turn aside and found Akash sitting beside me. My lips widened in surprise and I hugged him instantly.

"Thank God Akash you are fine. I knew it nothing bad can happen with you.", I said.

He didn't replied. I break the hug and found him smiling. I was dying to see this smile.

"Sandhya.", I heard Satvik's voice.

I turn my head forward towards his direction and said happily,

"Satvik see he is...", I looked beside me where Akash was sitting few seconds ago and found that spot empty.

Where did he go?

Suddenly Satvik came closer and hugged me tightly while crying miserably.

"We lost him Sandhya we lost him."

Lost him? No. He was here with me few seconds before and was smiling. Was I hallucinating him? No my Akash is alive. Nothing has happened to him. Everyone is lying Satvik is lying that list is also fake.

"Stop it Satvik. Why are you crying like this? He is absolutely fine. Did you hear me? My Akash is absolutely fine. Nothing has happened to him.", I shouted angrily.

I pushed him away and moved towards the airport. I will not go anywhere until and unless they don't give me any information regarding Akash. I don't trust any list. What's the proof that it's true? Maybe they disclose it to manage the crowd.

I dialled Mahira's number,

"Hello!", she answered.

"Mahira did you get any information regarding Akash Goenka?", I enquired.

"Did you read that list?", She asked.

"That list is bullshit. I don't have faith on it.", I said.

"But Sandhya..", I didn't let her finish.

"It's okay Mahira if you don't want to help me I will find out myself.", I said angrily and disconnected the call.

Why everyone don't understand? He is absolutely fine and nothing has happened to him.

I dialled Binod uncle's number,

"Hello beta how's my son?", He enquired.

"Don't worry uncle we will find him soon. How's Mahima Aunty?", I enquired.

"She is still unconscious beta, doctors are treating her.", He answered.

I ensured him that I will came back with Akash and disconnected the call.

My cellphone rings. I checked the caller ID, its Mahira calling.

"Hello!", I answered her call.

"Sandhya text me the details of your friend with his photograph.", She said.

"Okay", I said and disconnected the call.

I texted her Akash's details including his picture.

I felt someone's presence beside me I move aside to see who's it. It's Satvik. I ignored him and move towards an empty bench he too followed me and sat down beside me.

I called Mom and informed her everything. Initially she panicked and said she is coming but I assured her that I am okay and if I need any help I will inform her.

I received a text message from Mahira  saying,

"I will inform you if I get to know any information about him."

I can't seat ideally and do nothing. I will have to do something and for that I need to get inside the airport but how? May be Dad can help me!

Without wasting any minute I dialled Dad's number.

He already knows about the plane crash. He said he has arranged everything one of his friend is coming to fetch me inside.

After few seconds Dad's friend came but said that because of the rush he can't take both me and Satvik inside the airport only one of us can go.

"Satvik you stay and go to Binod uncle he needs you. I will call you if I get to know anything.", I assured him and went inside the airport.

That uncle instructed me to stay at the main lobby area. I called and informed Mahira about me being inside the airport. She said she will be here within two minutes.

I sat down on one of the empty bench and waited for her to arrive.

I unlocked my cellphone and opened my gallery. I started scrolling all his pictures whatever I have in my mobile. I paused on our selfie which we had clicked on Riya Mami's success party. Everyone has teased us for this picture saying we both are looking like married couples.

A drop of tear falls down over my mobile screen and then other and then another.

Why are you crying Sandhya? He is absolutely fine. Just now you scolded Satvik and now you are repeating the same thing. You can't loose hope.

I backed out of the gallery and opened my contact list. I looked at his contact number. I have been doing this since last three days but didn't have the courage to dial once and now look at the situation I want to dial it and wish he picked up the call.

With heavy heart I tapped on his name.

'Calling....calling....calling....Ringing'

Ringing? My eyes widened in shock and I instantly connected my cellphone to my ear.

"Tring...tring....tring....tring...tring"

After full ring the call got disconnected. How it can ring? He was in flight he must have kept it on flight mode then how it can ring?

Now I am sure nothing has happened to him my Akash is absolutely fine.

With new found hope once again I dialled his number.

'The number you are trying to reach is switched off '

Switched off? But just now it ranged.

"Sandhya", I heard Mahira's voice.

I lifted up my head and found her standing infront of me.

"Sandhya are you sure the passenger's name is Akash Goenka?", she enquired.

"Yes, why?", I asked confusedly.

"Because no such passenger's name has boarded that flight.", She informed.

"What do you mean Mahira?", I asked.

"Here is the list of the passengers name which were travelling on that flight but there is no one named Akash Goenka in this list.", She said while extending a piece of paper towards me.

I took that paper abruptly and started looking on the names. Strange! few minutes ago I was going through with similar list and was praying his name to be on it and now I am praying his name not to be in this list.

This time God listened my prayer. His name is not in this list means he was not inside that plane.

I can't express my happiness I want to scream, jump and do crazy things. I hugged Mahira tightly.

"Thank you so much Mahira thank you so much. You don't have any idea what you did for me. Thank you so much.", I said in between my sobs.

"I don't think Sandhya he is only friend to you. He seems much more precious than a friend.", She said.

"Yes, he is.", I wishpered.

I instantly dialled Satvik's number and gave him this information. He also reacted just like me. His happiness has no boundaries. In excitement he even said those three magical words which I am dying to hear from Akash's mouth.

But now the main question is Where is Akash? Why didn't he picked up my call?

Once again I dialled his number but this time also it's switched off. Where are you Akash?
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