A New Beginning

Death is just a new beginning.

Unbeknowst to everyone his life was about to begin again. And that story didn't have to wait any longer. A tale was about to be rewritten. And the cast was ready. Time has arrived.

BUT NOBODY WAS AWARE YET.

Ramcharan fell ill with shock.

" A change of scenery", recommended Dr. Shetty.

Riya went completely numb. She just existed with surroundings guiding her actions for some days.

Agni decided to meditate and disappeared in deep forest.

Numaan was completely heartbroken....

" Why Vicky why", he cried. " He should have let me help".

" A brave man", said Dr. Khurana. " He fought for what he believed in". UNLIKE HIM.

Zoya hugged Riya.

" Come with me. I can't let you live here with your misery", she said.

" I will Zoya", she said bravely. " My husband needs a warrior's farewell".

" He will be an inspiration for generations to come Riya", said Salman. " I am sorry I couldn't save him".

" Me too", cried Sharman. He has lost his brother Duleep too.

" After everything you are living with us. Vicky wanted us all to shift to Austraia", said Manav.

" I will live with you too Manav", said Riya. " But right now dad needs me".

" My friend, my daughter", cried Vikasji. He was heart broken too.

" Live with me", said Alok. " Laxmi wants you to come",

Riya accepted everyone's invitation. But right at this time she knew she must remain here.

She remembered what Vicky told her.

" This is the truth Riya but I have no time to collect proof. So you do it", he said.

She promised in affirmative. And so she started her research.

Manav handed over the keys to Shalini's home to her.Perfect.

Ramcharan recovered but he went to Kailasa to deal with the loss. Riya remained in Mumbai. Vikram was declared a martyr by the Government of India and he was honoured for his bravery. As his widow Riya collected the award. Her research kept her busy.

Whenever she would see kids with their parents her tears would start.

" Sri you better fulfil that promise in next birth", she would say.

An year passed.

Government declared Riya's historical adventure a cultural heritage and it was made tax free. IT WAS AN INSTANT HIT.

Then Agni summoned her one day.

" The time has come", he said. Here I have prepared the weapons.

" Five", she asked.

" He would need five", said Agni.

" As you say punditji". Riya touched his feet.

" Hide them appropriately. It is said Gautam's ancestor hid them in various corners of the Earth. ", said Agni.

Vicky had a home in many cities. Things pan out for a purpose she thought. She visited all her homes to relive the memories she made with him. She had a feeling of evil lurking nearby. But she was smart. And pretty elusive. Also a history genius. So she was successful in the work Agni entrusted her with.

She also visited her friends and family staying with them for long time. Numaan and Zoya had a very loving relationship blessed with Zaid. Aasma and Salmaan respected each other. He shifted to Dubai after Vicky's death. Ibrahim shifted to London with Zoya. He and Numaan opened a business there. Gaurav and Malti too had a blissful marriage. Gaurav remained in Mumbai but was hired by King Randheer for his estate and business management. He was a royal( kind of). Also good with numbers.

" I lost two friends in this war", he said tearfully to Riya. " And I mourn them both".

" I hope you can move on", she said.

Alok never became a pundit.

" Its not the time and generation", said his mother.

She gave him clan oath. By now Laxmi was pregnant and Vicky's death terrified Shuklas. So they sided with Mr. Shashtri which made Alok hate them and his relationship with Laxmi started cracking.

She also visited Dipti in Nagpur. Her son was a toddler now.

" I can't return back there", she told. " Vinod destroyed us", she said looking at her son Aniket.

But with Deshmukhs she finally felt home.

" I am home", she said to Suhasiniji.

She lived with them for a long time before finally returning to Mumbai.

And so another year passed.

A small prayer meet at Vikram's old office marked her last public appearance. Then she disappeared from public eye.

In the final year of her life Riya wrote a book. A simple love story. Of hers and Vicky's. How they met? How they fought, became friends. And fell in love. And how even on death she hopes to reunite with him again. It was titled True Love.

" He is gone", she wrote. " But he is always with me. Life comes a full circle. Its not the end. Its a new beginning ".

As Vicky's third death anniversary approached

Riya called two people to the wish granting temple. She told them the truth Vicky told her. She gave them two gold chains with a locket each.

" Guard it with your life", she said. Don't try to find anything about what I just told you. It could prove fatal. Move on in your life and wait for the right time."

Then she hugged them both and left. They both knew that they had seen her for the last time.

Nobody saw or met her after that.

The night before Vicky's third death anniversary she went to Shiva's wish granting temple with a bell.She tied it with complete trust in her Lord.

" Return my love to me Shiva. Forgive our sins and bless our union as once you have. Please give us our forever".

She touched the feet of her God and went to meet Agni in the blessed forest.

She touched his feet.

" Pranam Punditji", she said.

" May Shiva bless you", he said. " Gunjan its time for you to follow your mate in his next life. Your penance is over. Go ahead."

For the first time in three years Riya smiled. She walked near the place her husband has sacrificed himself. She closed her eyes and started praying her Lord. Her body turned warm and warmer. Slowly it began glowing.

Another vision came.

A toddler playing with his parents. Golden hairs and blue eyes. She smiled.

Riya's body caught fire. Soon only ashes were left. A gust of wind blew and immersed the ashes in the river Vikram was immersed.

The river has left the mountains. In the pursuit of her sea....

End of book 1...