Until We Meet Again Chapter 2 - Into The Loop

  One ordinary morning, as I prepared for my usual routine, everything shifted with a phone call from Arjun. The ground seemed to disappear beneath me as I answered. After the call ended abruptly, I rushed out, my thoughts spinning.

  After a tense drive, I arrived at the scene, greeted by a chaotic scene of police cars, ambulances, and a gathering crowd fixated on a nearby house. My heart pounded as I waited anxiously. Moments later, medical personnel emerged, carrying the lifeless body of Anika, leaving me stunned.

  Anika tragically took her own life once more, this time under even more devastating circumstances. She succumbed to suicide due to dowry-related issues, harassed relentlessly by the groom's family who demanded more dowry from hers. The relentless pressure and greed drove her to this heartbreaking end.

  I stood there, numb, grappling with the overwhelming weight of my failure. Given a second chance by the universe, yet now I found myself witnessing Anika's funeral once again. The pain was unbearable, and regret consumed my soul.

  As the flames approached to consume her body, I felt a part of myself extinguish with her. Unable to bear witness, I fled from the scene and returned straight home. Waves of failure engulfed me, uncertain if I would ever have the chance to make things right. A headache crept in; perhaps a nap would offer some respite.

  Once more, flashes of light danced behind my closed eyelids before a voice pierced through my sleep, “Hey Shivam, wake up, you sleepyhead.” Was that my brother's voice? Startled, I sat up in bed and saw him standing there.

  After he woke me up, my brother reminded me, “Don't be late for college.” I nodded in acknowledgment as he left my room. I couldn't believe what was unfolding. Had I time-traveled once more? Checking my phone confirmed it was February 17, 2022. I had returned, but was this reality or something else entirely? Determined to find out, I quickly searched the web for answers.

  First, I delved into research about time travel and the complexities of time paradoxes. I learned that every action and decision while time traveling could branch into different outcomes, offering a glimmer of hope. Intrigued, I then focused my   search on the concept of repeating time.

  From my search, I discovered the concept of a time loop, where a person relives the same events repeatedly, providing multiple chances to change the outcome. The thought of being trapped in such a loop stirred both dread and determination within me. I knew I had to seize this opportunity, no matter how many attempts it took, to save Anika.

  I got ready and made my way to the railway station to meet Anika. While waiting, I contemplated all the potential ways I could intervene. This time, I resolved to be more strategic and attentive to any signs of distress. “Shivam!” Her voice interrupted my thoughts. There she was, Anika, looking as radiant as ever. “Anika,” I replied, managing a smile despite the turmoil inside me. “Good to see you.”

  As we walked towards college, my mind raced with possibilities to save Anika. Suddenly, I noticed Viraj. Anika was engrossed in a conversation with him on the phone. In that instant, a crazy idea struck me: what if I could change Viraj? It sounded far-fetched, but everyone deserves a second chance. I was already burdened by the grief of witnessing Anika's death twice. If this attempt failed, it would only add to my sorrow. To change Viraj, I needed to become mutual friends with both of them.

  Since I was already best friends with Anika, my next step was to become close friends with Viraj. I needed to find a way to connect with him on a deeper level, perhaps through shared interests or mutual friends.

  Six months went by, but I still hadn't made progress. As days passed with that question in mind, amidst exams and assignments, I struggled to find the perfect opportunity. However, I knew every dog has its day, and mine finally came. Anika told me, “Shivam, take notes for tomorrow’s lecture. I won’t be able to attend.” Curious, I asked, “Why? What’s happening tomorrow?” She replied, “Viraj and I are going to see a movie.” Realizing this was my chance, I quickly followed up, “Which movie?”

  She responded, “Brahmastra.” Sensing an opportunity, I jumped in, “Hey Anika, I've been eager to watch Brahmastra too. Have you booked the tickets yet?” She hesitated, and her facial expression showed uncertainty as I continued, “Could you book one for me as well when you do?”

  She replied, “Shivam, you know Viraj. He wouldn't be comfortable with it.” I understood her concern, but I believed in challenging the status quo. “Anika, come on,” I persisted, “I'm just a friend. Why should he feel possessive? Just explain to him that I only want to watch the movie, nothing else.” She hesitated again, and I pressed on, “Doesn't he trust you?”

  In the midst of an argument, self-doubt can be a potent weapon. I used it, and Anika reacted as expected. Her face flushed with emotion, and she challenged me, “Don't you trust my feelings for Viraj?” I countered calmly, “Then prove it to me.” With newfound resolve, she declared, “I will prove you wrong,” her voice filled with determination.

  As expected, Anika's determination prevailed. That night, she shared the good news with me—she had successfully convinced Viraj, and the three of us were going to the theater together. Four days later, we arrived at the theater.

  Anika introduced us, and thereafter, silence settled between Viraj and me. He made no effort to engage, and neither did I. Despite lingering resentment towards him over past events, I knew that if he held the key to preventing Anika's tragedy, I would do whatever it took. Through the first half of the movie, my eyes were fixed on the screen, but my mind raced, contemplating how to break the silence and initiate a conversation.

  During the movie's intermission, Anika excused herself to the restroom, leaving Viraj and me alone in the cinema hall. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to break the ice. “Hey, bro,” I began, “Anika speaks highly of you.” He responded with a noncommittal sound, “Hmm, she does the same.” I nodded in acknowledgment, and then he added, “I'm a bit curious, what exactly has she told you about me?”

  Caught off guard, I decided to navigate carefully. “That you're a good guy, always caring for her. She's mentioned that a lot,” I began, fabricating details. “But there's one thing she's not entirely happy about.” His curiosity piqued, he asked, “What's that?” “You can be a bit possessive,” I stated, gauging his reaction. He smirked confidently and replied, “Bro, true love comes with a bit of possessiveness.”

  As the second half of the movie unfolded, spanning over an hour, we watched silently. After the movie concluded and we were leaving, Viraj surprised me by asking, “Bro, can I have your phone number?” I sensed an opportunity, and willingly shared my number. From that moment on, a friendship began to bloom between Viraj and me.

  Over time, I became one of Viraj's close companions, and we engaged in many discussions. Among them, I made efforts to influence his character, particularly addressing his possessiveness. Despite my best efforts, I realized changing someone's fundamental traits is challenging. Nevertheless, I held onto hope that he would evolve over time.

  When the moment arrived to intervene in Anika and Viraj's relationship, the familiar issue of Viraj's possessiveness surfaced once again. Anika made sincere efforts to address it, while I continued my own attempts to influence him positively.

  His response caught me off guard. I had told him, “Bro, try to understand, she loves you more than anything. But your possessiveness can ruin your relationship.” To my surprise, he replied, “Bro, you don't get it. We're living in a time where women's character changes. It's because of the people they befriend. It's hard to trust women these days.” His words left me stunned, realizing the depth of his perspective on trust and relationships.

  His final statement shook me to the core. I couldn't believe what Viraj had just admitted. “Viraj, do you understand what you're saying?” I asked, trying to comprehend his words. He replied solemnly, “Shivam, you're a close friend. I'll confide in you. I don't completely trust Anika. I have faith in her, but...” It dawned on me then that changing his fundamental beliefs was impossible. Moreover, it became clear that being with Viraj posed a danger to Anika.

  It was a difficult choice, but I supported Anika in breaking up with Viraj once more. She struggled, but ultimately found the strength to move on. Viraj, however, didn't give up easily. He reached out to me, pleading to reconcile their relationship. Despite his appeals, I stood firm in my decision to support Anika's well-being.

  Every action indeed has consequences, but this one caught me completely off guard. Viraj couldn't handle the breakup and lost himself entirely. In an unexpected and tragic turn of events, he went to an extreme no one anticipated—he killed Anika.

  Anika was on her way to her friend's house when Viraj suddenly appeared and attacked her with a knife. Thankfully, local bystanders intervened swiftly, apprehending Viraj and calling for an ambulance. Despite their efforts, Anika succumbed to her injuries from the attack, passing away due to severe blood loss on the way to the hospital.

  Once again, I found myself at Anika's funeral, confronted with the harsh reality that Viraj had been a disastrous choice for her. After the funeral, exhausted and filled with doubt, I retired for the night, pondering whether I would get another opportunity to change things. As I drifted off to sleep, waves of light flashed behind my closed eyelids. Suddenly, my brother's voice interrupted my sleep, signaling that the time loop was unfolding once more in my life.

  In this new iteration of the time loop, I realized I had to approach things differently. Reflecting on the past, I understood that Viraj's destructive path only began after our interactions. Therefore, I decided that this time, it might be better to break them up without involving myself directly with Viraj. Knowing that Anika's arranged marriage had failed before, I resolved to encourage her towards a love marriage this time around. This approach seemed like a promising path forward in changing the course of events.

  One of Anika's office colleagues had harbored unrequited love for her. Despite my encouragement for Anika to give him a chance, tragedy struck once more. During their first date, both Anika and her colleague tragically died in a car accident.

  Once more, the time loop granted me an opportunity. This time, I attempted to pair Anika with one of our classmates who had feelings for her. However, despite my efforts, history repeated itself. Anika experienced a breakup, and devastated by betrayal, she tragically took her own life.

  Once again, time rewound, presenting me with another chance. This time, I believed that perhaps Anika remaining single might be for the best. I chose to remain by her side as a friend, also remaining single. However, tragically, Anika passed away from pneumonia, repeating the same heartbreaking outcome.

  Experiencing the clock rewind after each tragic event, I relentlessly attempted to alter Anika's fate, but despite my best efforts, I was met with failure every time. Each attempt brought new challenges, and after twenty-three heartbreaking iterations, I was still unable to save her.

  On the 24th chance, I made the difficult decision to distance myself from Anika, believing it might break the cycle of tragedy. It was painful to stay away from my best friend, but I did it for her, hoping it would finally ensure her safety.