Resurrected: Don’T Curse Yourself for the Fault of Your Fate

By Natasha Nozer Mehenty

Afrin is expecting her first child. Unfortunately her husband Sam gets trapped and killed in an earthquake that caused the collapse of their residential building. Afrin is saved. Nobody has the heart to tell pregnant Afrin of the demise of her beloved husband.
However, a fortnight after the earthquake, Sam comes to the hospital and meets Afrin. Afrin hugs him and shows him their new born child. She is not aware that Sam had already expired.

Who was that man, looking exactly like Sam? Why was he cheating the innocent Afrin? Would Afrin ever come to know the real man behind the fake face of Sam?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Mar 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482868333

Natasha Nozer Mehenty

Born and raised in Mumbai, Natasha Nozer Mehenty is a 22 year old professional student. Writing fills her with a deep sense of satisfaction. Her maiden venture as a novelist, “Resurrected” explores the dynamics of human emotions, giving us an insight into the true meaning of love in one’s life.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE ACCIDENT

It was late evening when Sam, along with his friends Kavi and Karav, was returning home from work. Darkness had already shrouded the evening. Sam was behind the wheel and visibility was low in the twilight hours. Suddenly, he spotted something on the road, right in front of his car. It was a small puppy. But by the time Sam could notice, it was too late.

Trying his best to save the pup’s life, Sam took a speedy turn, and the car dashed into a tree. The doors of the car flung open and everybody was thrown out. Kavi fell outside to the left of the car and Karav to the right. They lay there for a while, the impact was pretty hard. It took them a while to realize that they were breathing. It was nothing short of a miracle for both of them to have survived the crash. Kavi struggled to get up and went to Karav to help him on his feet.

Standing up, they gazed around looking for Sam. Kavi spotted Sam soon, lying not far from them in an unconscious state. His head was injured and blood was oozing out of his head. There was blood all over his legs too. The boys panicked initially but tried to keep their calm. They called for an ambulance and rushed Sam to a nearby hospital. Doctors on duty wasted no time in attending Sam. Seeing him being attended to, Kavi called Afrin and asked her to come to Teresa Hospital, urgently.

When Afrin reached the hospital, she was told about her husband’s accident. Tears rolled down her big black eyes when she saw her husband covered with bandages all over his body and a drip of blood attached to his hand. Afrin kept staring at Sam who was in an unconscious state. She just sat and stared at him for few hours. Looking at her, Kavi said, Afrin, I think you should go home. We are here with Sam, we shall keep you updated.

No Kavi, I cannot. Not when he is in this condition…, she said while her voice trailed off. She stayed in the hospital for the next one week taking care of and praying for her husband. Finally, after a few days, Sam regained consciousness. He saw his wife sitting beside him, praying with her eyes shut.

Hey look! Sam has opened his eyes, Karav shouted with joy. Afrin opened her eyes and looked at her husband. Both kept staring at each other but did not utter a word.

Finally, Sam broke the silence in a feeble voice, Afrin, I do not know how many more days I am destined to live but I need to tell you something really important before I lose the chance.

Gasping for breath, he paused and motioned for his friends to leave them alone. There are few truths of my life which are unrevealed to you. I have written them down in my diary. I had planned to disclose them to you whenever I would feel that my days of life were numbered. Because, honey, when you read my diary and learn my secrets, I’m afraid you won’t love me anymore, he said as he sobbed.

CHAPTER 2

THE SECRET DIARY

Afrin wasn’t sure what to do or how to react to what Sam said. She rushed home to find out her husband’s secret diary. She finally located a thick, green coloured diary, wrapped with red cloth, kept on the shelf just as Sam had said. The cover page bore the inscription - A Secret Diary. On opening the first page, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The heading said - Loving Someone, Disguised As Someone Else. Her eager eyes scanned through the further contents of this ‘Secret Diary’ that contained details of her life which she herself had almost forgotten.

A flashback of her teenage years started appearing before her eyes.

Afrin was a very beautiful and smart girl. She always dressed simply and liked to keep away from fashion fads. She was very selective of her friends in college and would always be in their company. There was no end of guys who were attracted towards her beauty, simplicity and serene nature.

Zaib was one among those guys. Only difference was that he loved Afrin from his heart and soul. Afrin’s friend circle being tight, there was no way Zaib could get into it. She also seemed unduly aloof which made Zaib nervous to express his feelings for her. He always told himself, Afrin will hate me if I tell her about my love for her. She might insult me or make fun of me… He kept fighting with himself with multitude of thoughts and he realized that very soon first year of college was about to get over, after their exams.

It was the last paper that day and after that, vacations would begin. Zaib made up his mind to speak with Afrin without worrying about the outcome. Afrin was busy talking to her friends. Looking at her, Zaib felt nervous. For some time, he kept strolling here and there but Afrin had not lifted her eyes even once to give him any attention. Finally, he went to her with the intent of breaking the ice and said, Hi Afrin, how are you? Zaib asked with a smile on his face and confidence in his eyes.

I am fine. I have seen you in the class. You often crack jokes with the professors and make everybody laugh at your comments. What is your name? Afrin asked widening her pretty, studious eyes.

My name is Zaib King. Yes, we study in the same class. I have heard praises galore about you. Therefore, I felt that it would be great to befriend a sweet person like you.

Zaib, your smiling face is like a breath of fresh air to me, saying this, she smiled back. I hope you do not carry such a face to someone’s funeral! Hearing a joke made on him, Zaib started laughing.

I never knew that even you could crack a joke. I always thought that smart and studious people are hardly fun loving.

I was a studious and serious person until a few moments back, before I met you. You are amusement for our class.

It is good that by being a joker, I could make serious people like you to burst into laughter, saying this, he started moving towards the gate.

Afrin liked her new friend and his polite, kind but confident nature.

She shouted, Hey Zaib, wait! Where are you going buddy?

Zaib felt great hearing her voice and turned back. He replied, I thought a studious person like Afrin will not waste time chatting with a humorous classmate like Zaib.

Oh no, Zaib! You seem to be a nice person, Afrin retorted with a smile.

She extended her hand to him and said, So, are we friends from now?

Zaib shook hands with her and replied, Friends forever.

They bid goodbye and Afrin left when as an afterthought Zaib called out to her, Hey Afrin…, but he only gasped for words to come out of his mouth. Afrin came back upon hearing her name. She asked, What?

Actually, our vacations begin from tomorrow and we won’t be coming to college for the next couple of months. So, how would I speak to you? I mean, how would I come to know how my new friend is?

Interrupting him, Afrin smiled back and said, In short, you want my mobile number! She took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. Take this, Zaib. Message me with your name because right now I don’t have any phone. I will soon buy a new handset because my previous one got flicked in a public bus, a few days ago.

Oh, sad! I shall message you with my name. Don’t worry, be happy and stay calm, Zaib replied with a smile. His happiness knew no bounds! Not only could he speak to Afrin, but he also managed to befriend her and get her mobile number! He felt that God had written a very nice and perfect love story for his life but little did he know that life is not as simple as it seems in the beginning.

CHAPTER 3

FRIENDSHIP IS NOT ALWAYS LOVE

Five days had passed since the vacations had begun. Zaib kept wondering, Should I message Afrin or not? Did she get a new cell phone for herself? Is it the right time to message her? Then on the sixth day, he finally made up his mind to send her a message on the number she had given him. He typed a very small message:

Hi Afrin, how are you? This is Zaib, and sent it. Even after five long hours there came no response from her. He checked his cell phone every second to see if Afrin had replied. Finally, after half an hour more, his cell started to ring but an unknown number flashed on the screen. He took the call and said in a tired voice, Hello!

Hey Mr. Zaib, my amusing classmate. How are you?

Oh Afrin! I was just thinking about you, Zaib said in a hurry but then he immediately corrected his statement, saying, I was not sure if my message had reached you. Anyway, glad to hear your voice.

Your message has indeed reached me but at the moment I don’t have any balance in my mobile. So, I have called you from a public phone booth. My entire six months’ pocket money has been spent in buying the new mobile.

Ohhhh! It’s very kind of you to still call me, Zaib felt even Afrin had started admiring him. He continued, Afrin don’t worry, I will top-up your number. Zaib felt that it was the best way to start - pleasing her, fulfilling her wants. But he was confused when he heard Afrin saying, Oh no, dumbo… I do not wish to owe anyone anything. If you pay for my balance now then I will have to repay you later on. I do not keep debts. Afrin started laughing after completing this sentence. But Zaib did not find it funny. He said, I am not asking you to repay me anything.

No dear, I do not wish to be under anybody’s obligations, Afrin was firm with her decision.

We are friends! Then, why will there be any kind of obligation on you?

No, Zaib! You are my friend and I would never want to take undue advantage of our friendship. But I promise you that as soon as I recharge my cell, I shall contact you. Good bye. The phone was disconnected but the memories of the talk lingered on in Zaib’s mind.

After a few days, Zaib got a message from Afrin. She had written, Hi, Zaib! How are you? I have finally recharged my phone and opted for unlimited messaging scheme from my number. Now, I can be in touch with all my friends.

Zaib read her message with more interest than he had ever shown in his studies. He replied back in no time, Hi, Miss Studious! Glad to know that you have finally recharged your phone. I have joined a football team. We have a match coming up. I am practicing hard for it. What’s happening at your end?

After a few minutes Afrin replied, It is cool to know that you are investing your time and energy for a good purpose. Practice well and keep winning. I have joined yoga classes. It helps to release my stress and enhance my concentration. Will talk to you later as I am busy reading an interesting novel.

These types of messages continued daily between the two and they began to understand each other in a better way.

Vacations ended and college re-opened. Afrin and Zaib were now in the second year of their graduation. Zaib, with his friendly nature had been successful in befriending all of Afrin’s friends. After lectures, Afrin and Zaib would hang out at various places with their group of friends.

It was 13th of March, Zaib’s birthday. The previous night, Zaib had made a firm decision to propose to Afrin, with the thought that even if Afrin would not accept his proposal, there would be no unwanted altercation or insult as it was his birthday. So, he took Afrin and all the friends out for lunch to President Hotel at Cuffe Parade. After placing the order, he checked the ring that he had bought for her. He kept it back in his pocket. He was gripped with nervousness as he was to propose to his first and only love Afrin, in front of everyone. His hands were shaking with uneasiness while eating and this did not go unnoticed by Afrin. She looked at him and asked, Zaib, are you fine? Hearing this, Zaib looked into his plate and replied, Yes, I am fine.

I don’t think that you are telling me the truth. What’s wrong with you? You have been unusually quiet today. Why are your hands shaking continuously? At this, Zaib looked up and smiled but did not reply.

Finally, after lunch Zaib announced, Guys, I need to tell something which I have been hiding in my heart since a long time… Taking a deep breath he continued, Since the day I had seen Afrin, I had fallen in love with her. She has a beautiful way of living her life which has impressed me the most. Her pretty, innocent face, her long silky hair, her beautiful black eyes, her decent and simple way of dressing and many more things have made me respect her more and more every day.

Then, looking into Afrin’s eyes he said, Afrin, I treat you like an angel in my life. I feel very lucky to be your friend. I love you a lot and I will do anything for you. I also know that love can never be forced on someone. So, even if you reject my proposal, I will still be your friend and you can call me anytime for anything. I am willing to even give up my life for you…. even if you do not accept my proposal. His friends whistled and cheered him on hearing all this. They looked at Afrin for her reply. Afrin took some time to think. She later responded, Zaib, thank you for praising me and being ready to do anything for me, but…

I feel this is our age to study and build our careers. Friendship is better than falling in love. I do respect your choice of loving me but I cannot accept your love. I have never loved anybody besides my family. Sorry, but I cannot accept your proposal right now.

Afrin, there is no need to be sorry because I know that love cannot be forced on anyone. If it is in our destiny to get someone’s love, then even God cannot stop it but if it is not in our destiny then we will never get it, or lose it even after getting it. I respect your decision. Thank you for accepting me as your friend, Zaib replied with a hurt smile on his face.

Zaib accepted the pain of not getting a positive response from his lady love and in order to forget it,