Until We Meet Again Chapter 3 - Misunderstood The Path

  Following my decision, I began avoiding Anika right from the beginning. On February 17, 2022, I was supposed to meet her at the railway station, but I didn't show up. Later at college, she approached me and inquired, “Hey Shivam, what happened? Why didn't you come to the railway station?” I replied, “Oh, nothing serious. I had some personal errands to attend to. I'm sorry for not informing you.”

  In the following days, I persisted in avoiding Anika. Whenever she asked, “Why are you avoiding me?” I fabricated excuses to explain my behavior. Eventually, she caught on to my avoidance and realized what was happening. From that point onward, she stopped trying to engage with me.

  Over the course of three months, Anika and I became complete strangers. The bond we once shared drifted apart, our paths diverging. I watched her from a distance, noticing her smiling with others each day. It brought me a bittersweet sense of relief, as I hoped that my distance would somehow protect her.

  As months turned into years, I refrained from contacting Anika for almost two years. During this time, our college organized an industrial visit that seemed more like a trip, with a requested amount of around 15 thousand rupees. Aware of what had transpired in previous loops, I decided to opt out of the trip.

  Despite my decision to avoid the trip, Anika chose to go with our classmates. It saddened me deeply to continue keeping my distance from my best friend, especially during trips we once enjoyed together. However, I reminded myself that this distance was for her own safety and well-being. Yet, my sense of relief was short-lived as something unexpected disrupted it once more.

  The industrial visit took a tragic turn for Anika. During a visit to one of the forts, she fell off a cliff and tragically lost her life once more.

  Once again, I witnessed the heartbreaking scene of Anika's death. Despite my numerous attempts, I failed to change her fate. The universe seemed to play a cruel trick on me, leaving me feeling utterly defeated. Watching her parents mourn and seeing the sorrow in the eyes of our classmates only added to my profound sense of loss and failure.

  As the funeral concluded, I stood in a state of confusion, grappling with the overwhelming grief. It was then that Arjun approached me, offering his condolences. “Shivam, I know this is incredibly difficult for you,” he said softly, “but we have to find a way to get through this.” Feeling lost for words, I replied, “I don't even know what to say, Arjun. Shouldn't the management have been more cautious?”

  Arjun sighed deeply, acknowledging the tragedy. “Blaming the management won't bring her back,” he said quietly. “I heard our classmates tried their best to save her, but it wasn't enough. If you had been there, Shivam, maybe Anika would still be with us today.” His words struck me like a heavy blow, and tears welled up in my eyes as I grappled with the weight of his statement.

  “I... I know, Arjun,” I stammered, my voice choked with emotion. “I should have been there. I should have done something... anything to prevent this. But what could I do? I've seen her funeral 24 times... and each time, I fail to save her.” The weight of guilt and sorrow hung heavily in my words as I grappled with the anguish of Anika's repeated loss.

  Arjun's eyes widened in disbelief as my words sank in. “24 times? Shivam, what are you saying?” he exclaimed, his voice filled with astonishment and concern. I nodded solemnly and began to explain, “Arjun, do you know about the concepts of time travel and time loops?”

  Arjun responded thoughtfully, “Yes, I've heard of time travel theories—traveling to the past or future—and time loops where someone is stuck in repeating events. But it all seems more like fiction than reality.” I met his gaze steadily and said, “What if I told you it's real? I've lived through my life 24 times, each time returning to the same day after Anika's death. What if I told you I've witnessed her funeral 24 times? Would you believe me?”

  Arjun's eyes widened further, clearly taken aback by my statement. He attempted to calm the situation, saying, “Okay, I think you're just really shaken up. You should take some rest.” He seemed to think I was rambling out of distress, but I was determined to make him understand. “You think I'm making up stories,” I responded firmly. “Fine. You stay hidden in your shell, secretly loving Sadhana.”

  As soon as I mentioned the name 'Sadhana,' Arjun's reaction was noticeable. His eyes blinked faster, and he seemed taken aback. “Sadhana?” he repeated, clearly startled. “Shivam, what are you saying?” I continued, “You've been silently in love with her for the past two years, keeping it to yourself.”

  Arjun's reaction was unmistakable. The rapid blinking of his eyes betrayed his shock and surprise. It was evident that my words had struck a nerve, piercing through his facade of skepticism. He seemed genuinely affected by the mention of his secret love for Sadhana.

  Arjun's attempt to dismiss my words as delusion suddenly seemed feeble in the face of this revelation. He struggled to compose himself, his attempt at composure faltering. “Shivam, I... I don't know what you're talking about,” he stuttered, his voice wavering slightly, betraying his inner turmoil.

  I responded calmly, “Arjun, I know about your relationship with Sadhana. The way you love her silently, like a shadow. I understand this is shocking for you, but believe me, I know your secret.” Arjun was visibly unsettled and asked urgently, “How do you know about this?” With a small smirk, I replied, “If you give me some time, I'll explain everything.”

  As Arjun's composed facade crumbled under the weight of my revelation, I could see the gears turning in his mind. He struggled with the sudden exposure of his carefully guarded secret, emotions ranging from disbelief to panic. He asked urgently, “Now tell me what I'm missing?”

  Without hesitation, I explained, “Arjun, it might sound crazy to you, but believe me. I don't fully understand how this is happening, but I am stuck in a time loop. In one of our past cycles, you, me, Anika, Shreya, and Varsha were all close friends. During that time, you confided in me about your feelings for Sadhana. We used to spend a lot of time together, but as the years went by, we drifted apart somewhat. However, we all remained friends.” I hoped my straightforward explanation would help Arjun grasp the unusual situation we found ourselves in.

  I continued, “And then, due to some personal issues, I stopped talking to Anika. Several years later, she tragically took her own life due to a toxic marriage. We all attended her funeral. After that, I went to sleep. I don't know how, but suddenly I woke up back in the year 2022.” Arjun listened with a mix of shock and curiosity, prompting him to ask urgently, “Then what happened?”

  I explained further, “I thought that returning to 2022 was my second chance to make things right. I tried to alter her fate, but she still died. Then time looped again, and again I tried, with the same tragic outcome. This is the 24th time it has repeated. In this cycle, I tried to protect her by avoiding her, believing it would keep her alive, but it didn't.” The weight of each failed attempt hung heavily in the air as I recounted the relentless cycle of trying and failing to save Anika.

  Arjun's face displayed a blend of confusion and disbelief. He struggled to process what he was hearing. “It's hard to believe,” he began, “but I don't know what to say, Shivam.” I nodded in understanding and replied, “You're right. It's been incredibly difficult for me too.” Curious despite his uncertainty, Arjun asked, “Did you try every possible way to save Anika?”

  I responded with a heavy heart, “I tried every possible scenario: steering her away from Viraj, exploring arranged marriages, setting her up on dates with office crushes, and more. But no matter what I tried, her death was always inevitable.” Arjun's question caught me off guard. “Did you ever try to be her life partner in any of these chances?” he asked, his tone revealing a mix of curiosity and concern.

  Arjun's question caught me off guard, causing me to pause and reflect. “No, I never tried that,” I admitted quietly, a sense of realization creeping into my voice. “I always believed that keeping my distance might protect her, or that finding someone else for her would alter her fate. Besides, she's my best friend, Arjun.” I struggled with the thought of crossing that boundary in our relationship, especially considering how close Anika and I had always been.

  Arjun took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding to my admission. “Shivam, have you heard about the red thread of fate?” he asked, his tone thoughtful. Puzzled, I shook my head. “Nope, what is that?” I inquired, curious about what he was referring to.

  Arjun nodded thoughtfully as he began to explain, “There's a Japanese legend that says an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. This thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. I believe this legend might hold true in your case, Shivam. Perhaps there's a deeper reason why you keep returning to this point, and maybe it's not just about saving Anika, but also about recognizing your own connection with her. The red thread connects both of you.” His words resonated deeply, offering a perspective that went beyond mere coincidence or tragedy, hinting at a profound connection that transcended the challenges I had faced in each time loop.

  I was bewildered by Arjun's words and struggled to grasp their meaning. “Arjun, please talk sense,” I replied, feeling overwhelmed. “How could I think of her that way? She's my best friend.” He paused, then countered with a question that struck at the heart of the matter: “Okay, then why are you time traveling or trapped in a time loop?”

  Arjun's question caught me off guard, and I struggled to find an explanation. “Why am I in a time loop? I don't know,” I admitted, my mind racing with the implications of his suggestion. “But what you're suggesting... it just doesn't seem possible. Anika and I have always been best friends. I've never thought of her in any other way. My main goal is to save her, no matter what.”

  I tried to push aside the notion that there could be a deeper connection beyond friendship, focusing instead on the urgent need to break the cycle of tragedy that had haunted us.

  Arjun sighed deeply, his expression grave as he continued, “Look, Shivam. You've tried every scenario imaginable to save her, right? But maybe the reason you're stuck in this loop is that you haven't considered the one thing that could truly break it. Perhaps you need to realize that your connection with her might go beyond just friendship. And while death is inevitable, she will pass away one day, but before that happens, who she truly needs in her life might be crucial.”

  His words echoed in my mind, challenging me to reconsider my approach and the nature of my feelings towards Anika. The idea that there might be more to our relationship than I had acknowledged before felt unsettling yet strangely compelling.

  I hesitated, feeling a mix of confusion and reluctance. “But what if it doesn't work? What if I try this and she still dies? I can't bear to see her funeral again, Arjun,” I confessed, my voice betraying my fear and exhaustion from countless failed attempts. The prospect of yet another futile effort weighed heavily on me, the thought of witnessing Anika's death once more almost unbearable.

  Arjun looked at me with a determined expression. “Until you try something, you can't determine the success rate. Give this a chance; if destiny intends for you both to be together, it will find a way. There's no scientific explanation for this, Shivam. Sometimes all we can do is trust in the universe.” His words resonated with a sense of faith in the unknown, urging me to consider taking a leap of faith despite my uncertainties.

  His words echoed in my mind, and I realized he was right. “Okay, Arjun. I'll do it. I'll try.” “Don’t worry, you will save her. Also, I have a question”, Arjun asked “What’s that?” I answered. “Did Sadhana and I get married in the future?” He asked.

  I chuckled softly. “No, Arjun, she didn't choose you,” I said gently. Arjun's face crumpled for a brief moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. But he recovered quickly, pasting on a forced smile. “I guess some things just aren't meant to be,” he said, trying to sound casual. “But let's focus on saving Anika first, that's more important.”

  The weight of Arjun's disappointment hung heavy in the air. Seeing him force a smile despite the obvious hurt in his eyes, I struggled for words. Sadhana clearly hadn't chosen him, no matter how strong his feelings were.

  Taking a calming breath, I offered what comfort I could. “Arjun, listen,” I said softly. “Don't let this get you down. This doesn't mean there's something wrong with you.  There's someone incredible out there waiting to meet you, someone who will see your worth in future. I saw her, wait for her.”

  Arjun offered a grateful nod, but the lingering sadness in his eyes was a stark contrast.  I ached for him.  There I was, wishing I could offer more than empty platitudes.  Yet, the truth was, right now, saving Anika had to be the priority.  A beautiful life, however uncertain, awaited her, and Arjun, with a heart heavy with rejection, was the one who held the key to unlocking it.

  He took a deep breath, his voice rough when he spoke. “Okay,” he said softly, his eyes holding a desperate plea, “give your best this time to save her.”

  With Arjun's words echoing in my mind, a heavy weight settled in my gut.  This time, failure wasn't an option.  As I drifted off to sleep that night, I made a solemn vow, not just to myself, but to Arjun and the hope for a future he so desperately craved.  This time, I would save Anika.

  The morning of February 17th, 2022, dawned familiar yet different. A renewed sense of purpose thrummed through me, a determination fueled by Arjun's grief and the hope for his future. This time, things would be different.

  Reaching the railway station, I spotted Anika. A wave of emotions, a tangled mess of empathy, apprehension, and a strange undercurrent of...something else, washed over me. I pushed it down, plastering a smile on my face as we boarded the train.

  Throughout the journey, my mind churned. Saving Anika was paramount, the key to unlocking a future. But the nagging thought persisted – Anika, my life partner? The concept felt alien, a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.

  Lost in my thoughts, I must have appeared distant. Anika's voice, laced with concern, broke through my reverie. “What happened, Shivam? Why are you so off today?”

  Lies wouldn't work.  Anika deserved honesty, even a partial truth. “There's something confusing me, Anika,” I admitted. Relief washed over me as she prompted me to elaborate.

  Taking a deep breath, I spun a tale. “I have a friend, Ritik. He has this close friend, Shivanya. Now, they're facing an issue...” My voice trailed off, hoping this fabricated story would be enough to distract her from the turmoil within me.

  Anika's brow furrowed in concern. “What? Did the boy propose to her?” she asked, her voice laced with surprise.

  Internally wincing, I tried to deflect. “Anika,” I began, emphasizing her name, “why do things always have to be the one-way street of the boy making the big move?  Can't the girl shake things up sometimes?”

  My question hung in the air, and Anika's eyes widened in realization. “Oh!” she exclaimed, a spark of understanding lighting up her features. “So Shivanya confessed her feelings first?”

  “Yes, exactly,” I confirmed, a sliver of truth slipping through the cracks of my story. “Shivanya feels so strongly about Ritik that she can't imagine anyone else. But Ritik is caught in a bind. He doesn't see her as a life partner, and hurting her would be the last thing he wants.”

  Anika fell silent, her brow furrowed in contemplation as she mirrored my earlier behavior. A moment stretched between me, thick with unspoken thoughts.

  Then, Anika spoke, her voice quiet but firm. “Shivam, listen closely. There are four questions you need to ask your friend.” Intrigued, I leaned forward. “Really? What are they?”

  Anika leaned in conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling with a newfound determination. “First, ask him who he trusts most in the world. Second, ask if he feels a deep sense of connection with her. Third, ask if he feels happy around her. And finally, ask if he can see any other girl taking her place.”

  Her words echoed in your mind, sparking unexpected connections. That night, as I  lay beneath a canopy of stars, bathed in moonlight, Anika's questions swirled in my. head.

  “Who do I trust most in the world?” I murmured, the question hanging heavy in the stillness. Faces flickered through your mind - friends, family, fleeting acquaintances. But one face consistently rose to the surface - Anika's. Despite the awkward tension of the day, a deep sense of trust resonated within me. Anika had always been a constant, a confidante through thick and thin. The realization struck me  with the force of a revelation. Even amidst the time loop's chaos, my bond with Anika had remained unwavering.

  Emboldened by this newfound clarity, you moved on to the second question. “Do I feel a deep sense of connection with her?” The answer surfaced effortlessly. Yes, there was a connection with Anika, a bond that transcended mere friendship. It was a connection that resonated on a deeper level, a connection forged in shared experiences and unspoken understanding, especially concerning the time loop's strange hold me and her.

  As I pondered the third question, “Do I feel happy around Anika?” a wave of memories washed over me. Images of shared laughter, whispered secrets, and adventures unfolded in my mind's eye. Anika wasn't just your companion on this bizarre time loop journey; she was the one constant source of joy amidst the chaos. The answer bloomed within me, clear and undeniable - yes, with Anika by my side, happiness seemed to find me more readily.

  Finally, I reached the last question. “Can I see any other girl taking her place?” The answer arrived with a startling clarity that left me breathless. No. No other girl could ever fill the void Anika occupied in my heart, no matter how desperately I’d tried to deny it.

  With each question, a truth I’d long suppressed began to bloom. My connection with Anika wasn't simply friendship; it ran far deeper, imbued with a significance that transcended words. It was a bond forged in shared experiences, unwavering trust, and a silent understanding that resonated especially strong within the confines of the time loop.

  Gazing at the star-dusted night sky, I made a silent vow. I would embrace this newfound understanding, this revelation of my true feelings for Anika. Love, a blossoming bud within my heart, unfurled its petals.

  Now, my missions are. First, to break the connection between Anika and Viraj.  If their path truly led to happiness, I wouldn't interfere. But armed with the knowledge of the future, you knew this wasn't the case.  For their sake, and for Anika's happiness, this path had to be diverted.

   And finally, the most daunting task - confessing my feelings to Anika. The weight of this loomed heavy, the uncertainty of her reaction a knot in your stomach. Yet, a sliver of hope remained. Perhaps, with the universe now a knowing accomplice, things would unfold smoothly.

  Filled with newfound purpose and the blossoming of love, you drifted off to sleep, ready to face the challenges ahead.