Chapter 11

The open road stretched before Sahil, cutting through the breathtaking green hills of New Zealand under a vast, brilliant blue sky. The wind rushed past him, but his mind was completely elsewhere. He was driving on pure adrenaline, a lovesick smile plastered on his face.

Suddenly, up ahead by the side of the road, he caught a flash of fabric. A figure seemed to be standing there—a girl wearing a familiar flowing scarf, her hand extended, gently waving for a lift.

"Shristi!" Sahil gasped, his heart leaping into his throat.

He slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching softly as the car jolted to a halt past the spot. Breathless, he shifted into reverse, backing up quickly to get a good glimpse of her. But as the dust settled, the illusion shattered. There was no Shristi. It was just a silk scarf that had been snagged on a wooden road pole, fluttering violently in the wind. Before he could even reach for it, a sudden, powerful gust untethered the fabric, sending it flying high into the air and away over the valley.

Sahil stared at the empty sky, letting out a breathless, disbelieving laugh at his own madness. The sheer weight of what he was feeling overflowed, and he couldn't contain it anymore.

He climbed out of the driver's seat, stepping up to sit right on top of the headrest, completely unbothered by the world. Looking out at the endless horizon, he let his voice ring out into the valley, singing from the depths of his heart:

"Kyun chalati hai pavan...Kyun jhume hai gagan...Kyun machalta hai mann...Naa tum jano naa hum..."

His voice echoed against the mountains, full of a sweet, agonizing confusion. He leaped back down into the seat, gripping the steering wheel as the melody lingered in the air, repeating the lines softly to himself:

"Naa tum jano naa hum...Naa tum jano naa hum..."

He slammed the car into gear and accelerated down the winding road. As the wind whipped around him again, Shristi’s imagery materialized right there in the passenger seat beside him. In his mind, she was sitting there perfectly real, holding that very scarf, looking at him with those deep, questioning eyes that had stolen his sleep.

He smiled, completely lost in the vision, driving blindly into the sun. And as the camera cuts to a wide shot of the car speeding along the coastal cliff, the illusion fades—yet there Sahil is, driving away, blissfully unaware that the actual scarf is now inexplicably tangled in his hand

The vision of Shristi intensifies, breaking free from the confines of the car. The landscape of New Zealand shifts seamlessly into a grand, Bollywood-esque dreamscape, where the boundaries between memory, imagination, and nature dissolve completely.

Sahil is now seen walking through a vast expanse of lush green grass overlooking a sparkling, endless sea. The wind plays with his hair as he pours his heart out to the ocean, singing:

"Kyon aati hai bahaar..."

Cut to a breathtaking glimpse of Shristi. She is walking gracefully down a coastal ridge, wearing a beautiful, flowing lilac lehenga that catches the sea breeze. She moves like a melody herself.

"Hunm.. he.. ye..."

The scene transitions to a dense grove. Sahil is standing behind a massive, ancient tree, holding onto a low-hanging branch as he peers out, his voice laced with sweet torment:

"Kyon lut tha hai karaar..."

Shristi appears in the clearing. She performs a fluid, lyrical dance step, her hands moving in perfect synchronization with her flowing dupatta. She mimics the blooming of a flower, opening her arms wide as if welcoming the spring.

"Hunm.. he.. ye..."

Sahil steps out from behind the tree, his reflection mirroring the soul of Sameer as he opens his arms wide to the sky, singing the ultimate question:

"Kyon hota hai pyaar..."

Suddenly, Shristi’s lilac dupatta catches the wind and flies completely out of her hands. It drifts through the air and falls perfectly over Sahil’s face, enveloping him in her scent. He gently pulls it down, singing from behind the branch, the soft fabric now clutched tightly in his hands:

"Na tum jano na hum...Na tum jano na hum..."

The dream shifts its color palette. Shristi is now seen wearing a vibrant, beautiful blue lehenga, running like a carefree spirit through a grazed alpine pasture. She suddenly stops and turns around, her eyes locking onto Sahil, who is sitting quietly by a large rock, holding a rustic scarf while a herd of goats grazes around him. But the moment Sahil stands up to approach her, the glimpse of Shristi completely fades into the mountain air.

"Umhun.. la.. lala.. la.. la.. la..."

Determined not to lose her, Sahil begins to chase her lingering spirit, running through the valley. Up ahead, her vision reappears, playfully teasing him as she pulls the scarf along. In her haste, Shristi trips over the uneven ground, and Sahil lunges forward to catch her.

They tumble into the thick grass, Sahil falling directly on top of her. The world stops. He reaches down, his fingers gently bringing her chin up so she has to look into his eyes. Then, overwhelmed by the proximity, he plonks down right beside her on the grass, stretching his arms wide open to the sky as he sings to the clouds:

"Ye madhoshiyaan...Ye tanhaiyaan..."

He sits upright, looking down at the empty space beside him as her presence begins to flicker.

"Tasabur mein hai...Kiski parchhaiyaan..."

He lays back down, letting the weight of his obsession take over.

The landscape changes instantly to the pristine, white ski slopes. Shristi is seen swaying around happily in a winter jacket, her joyful reflection dancing beautifully across the crust of the snow.

"Hha.. Re.. Ha ra.. Ra..."

Sahil stands in the middle of the snowscape, his breath catching in the freezing air as he sings:

"Ye bhiga samaan..."

Suddenly, Shristi steps out from directly behind him. She slides her warm hand into his, her touch melting the chill as she walks alongside him over the ridge.

"Umangein jawaan...Mujhe ishq le ja raha hai kahaan..."

But just as he turns to press his hand closer, her glimpse fades away once more, leaving him standing alone in the white expanse. He turns in circles, disoriented.

"Kyon gum hai har disha...Kyon hota hai nasha..."

Shristi comes twirling back toward him out of a flurry of snow. She giggles, steps up on her tiptoes, and plants a soft, lingering kiss right on the tip of his nose before fading away into the mist again. Sahil stands paralyzed on top of the snow, a breathless smile on his face as he sings to the empty wind:

"Kyon aata hai mazaa..."

Out of nowhere, she reappears, her hand catching his as she suddenly joins him in a fast, synchronized rain-dance style groove on the snow, before walking away into the white fog, fading for the final time on the mountain.

"Na tum jano na hum...Na tum jano na hum..."

The dream pulls back toward reality but doesn't let go. Sahil is back near the highway, walking in his heavy winter jacket. Up ahead, he sees a vibrant glimpse of Shristi in her yellow lehenga, standing right beside his parked car.

He breaks into a run toward her. As he approaches, she turns and walks toward a massive, colorful hot air balloon anchored in the field. Sahil catches up to her by the basket, and they begin a slow, romantic dance as the balloon sways.

The scene cuts rapidly through flashes of intense romance: Shristi appears next in a stunning pink lehenga, while Sahil sports a sleek metallic jacket. They dance with high energy across the green grass, their movements bringing them closer and closer until their chests align.

"Dhadakta bhi hai...Tadapta bhi hai...Ye dil kyon achanak...Bahakta bhi hai..."

Shristi swirls around him, her lehenga flaring out like a canvas of love.

"La.. lala.. la. la.. la..."

Sahil glides in right behind her, his chest pressing against her back as his voice drops to a sensual whisper near her ear:

"Mahakta bhi hai...Chahakta bhi hai...Ye dil kya vafa ko...Samajhta bhi hai..."

With a smooth, deliberate motion, he pulls her dupatta toward himself, spinning her around until she is locked in his embrace.

"Kyon milti hain nazar..."

He leans in, kissing her gently on her right cheek, and then her left.

"Hunhunm..."

Shristi smiles, wrapping her arms around his neck, and leans up to press a soft, reverent kiss onto his forehead.

"Kyon hota hai asar..."

"Hunhunm..."

They pull each other even closer, spinning in slow motion as the camera pulls back into a breathtaking, cinematic wide shot. The green grass beneath them gives way to a magnificent backdrop of snow-capped mountains peaking through the clouds. He pulls her flush against his chest for the final, grand crescendo:

"Kyon hoti hai sahar...Na tum jano na hum..."

Snap.

The roar of the wind breaks the silence. The snow-capped peaks, the hot air balloon, and the vibrant lehengas vanish into thin air.

Sahil is back behind the wheel of his open car, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. The New Zealand highway stretches out empty before him. The dream moments slowly fade from his eyes, but the lingering warmth of the illusion remains. He takes a deep breath, a soft, knowing smile playing on his lips as he drives on into the horizon, completely consumed by the girl he barely knows.

*

The afternoon light at the waterfront was golden, casting a shimmering glow over the gentle waves. Sahil arrived early, his heart beating with a nervous anticipation. Spotting Anita and Shristi walking along the boardwalk from a distance, he stopped. Shristi walked with her head down, completely lost in her own thoughts, a stark contrast to Anita’s animated gestures.

Captivated by her quiet melancholy, Sahil pulled up his camera. He brought the viewfinder to his eye, focusing on Shristi. With every step she took—the way her hair caught the breeze, the subtle downturn of her lips—he clicked the shutter, capturing her every mood, pinning down her fleeting moments in his lens.

"Come on, Shristi, change your mood already," Anita pleaded, taking a sideways glance at her cousin's downcast face. "How long are you going to stay sad like this? I’m telling you, you have to be strong. If not for your sake, then live for the people who love you. Once you do, you’ll see how amazing life can be. Who knows when or how a miracle might just happen?"

Shristi let out a heavy, hollow sigh, her gaze fixed firmly on the ground. "A miracle has happened, Anita. That’s exactly why I am so worried. You have no idea how cruelly destiny is playing with me. I haven't even had the time to process losing Sameer, and now... right in front of me..."

She froze. Her words caught in her throat as a shadow fell across the pavement. She looked up and saw Sahil stepping directly into their path.

Anita, instantly shifting into her pre-planned acting mode, clapped her hands together in mock astonishment. "Oh! Hi, Sahil!"

"Hi, Anita," Sahil smiled, lowering his camera around his neck.

"What a surprise! How on earth are you here?" Anita exclaimed, widening her eyes dramatically.

Sahil didn't break eye contact with Shristi. He took a step closer, his voice soft. "This is what you call a coincidence. Coincidence number three, to be precise. This is our third meeting in two days, right?"

Beside them, Anita began counting frantically on her fingers, playing along. "One, two, three... yeah!"

Sahil ignored the chatter, extending his hand toward Shristi with a warm, genuine smile. "Hi."

Shristi stared at his open palm, her breath hitching. The uncanny resemblance, the warmth of his voice, and the raw grief of her past collided all at once. Before she could even utter a response, the overwhelm took over.

She turned on her heel and bolted down the boardwalk.

Anita gasped, throwing her hands in the air. "Arre! What happened to her?"

Sahil stood frozen, his hand still suspended in mid-air. He slowly lowered it, a look of profound confusion washing over him. He began touching his jaw, his cheeks, and his nose. "Anita... my face is fine, right? I don't have something on it?"

"Let me see," Anita said, stepping in. She took him by the chin, turning his face firmly from right to left, and then left to right, inspecting him like a doctor. She dropped her hand. "Yes, your face is perfectly fine."

Sahil gestured helplessly in the direction Shristi had fled. "Then why does she run for her life every single time she sees me?"

Anita’s playful demeanor softened into genuine concern. "Let me go and check on her."

She hurried off down the path, leaving Sahil standing alone by the water. He let out a long, defeated sigh, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the empty boardwalk, wondering what secret lay behind those haunted eyes.

*

The heavy front door clicked shut as Anita burst into the bungalow , her frustration bubbling over. "Shristi? Shristi!" she called out, her voice echoing through the quiet rooms.

She caught sight of a silhouette standing by the living room balcony, staring blankly out at the city lights. Anita let out a long, exhausted sigh and marched straight toward her.

"Shristi, seriously, what is the matter with you?" Anita demanded, throwing her hands in the air. "Why did you run away from the waterfront like a madwoman and bolt all the way back here? Shristi, look at me! Sahil is a fantastic guy. He is my best friend, he comes from a highly respected family, and honestly? Girls absolutely throw themselves at him. But he doesn't care about any of them—he is completely crazy over you."

Shristi closed her eyes, her shoulders tense. "Please, Anita," she whispered, her voice cracking with an intense undercurrent of pain. "Don't say things like that. I don't like it."

"Why?" Anita pressed, stepping closer, her tone shifting from frustration to deep concern. "Why don't you like it? What has happened to you, Shristi? What are you doing to yourself? You cannot keep living like a ghost. You have to forget the past and start living in the present!"

"But your Sahil doesn't let me forget the past!" Shristi suddenly whirled around, the dam breaking as tears spilled over her lashes. Her voice trembled violently. "Whenever I look at him, my entire past stands right in front of me like a mirror!"

Anita blinked, completely thrown off. "Sahil? How on earth is Sahil connected to your past?"

"He is!" Shristi sobbed, clutching her arms tightly around herself as if trying to hold her shattering world together. "He has a very deep, agonizing connection... because Sahil's face is identical to Sameer’s. Every single feature. Whenever I look at Sahil, all I see... all I remember... is my Sameer!"

Choked by her own tears, Shristi couldn't say another word. She covered her face and rushed past her cousin, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her.

Anita stood frozen in the middle of the hallway, the echo of the slamming door vibrating through the silence. The pieces of the puzzle finally crashed together in her mind, leaving her completely breathless, paralyzed by a wave of pure shock and disbelief.

*

The evening breeze swept through the courtyard of the Chopra estate as Sahil leaned against his car, a dismissive smirk plastered on his face. He looked at Anita, who was standing before him looking pale and completely serious.

"What did you just say?" Sahil mocked, letting out a sharp, disbelief-filled laugh. "This Sameer guy's face resembles mine? Well, no kidding, Anita! That means he also has two eyes, two ears, and a mouth! Shocking!"

He turned toward the garden wall, shaking his head and chuckling to himself.

"There is absolutely nothing to laugh about, Sahil!" Anita snapped, her voice cutting through his humor like a knife. "That is the exact reason why she runs away from you every single time. She literally told me that your face tortures her."

Sahil scoffed, the laugh dying in his throat as a trace of bitterness took over. "Yeah, right. Torture. I see how it is. Look, Anita, let’s just face reality—she’s simply not interested in me. She doesn't want to meet me, and this whole 'lookalike ghost' thing is just an elaborate excuse to keep me away."

Anita stepped directly into his line of sight, her expression dead serious. "These are not excuses, Sahil. I didn't believe it either until I saw Sameer's picture with my own eyes last night. It is chilling. It's unbelievable. He has these exact same two eyes, this exact nose, this exact face. It’s like looking at a carbon copy of you."

Sahil’s smirk finally vanished, replaced by a flicker of irritation as he still refused to buy into the absurdity of it. "What on earth are you talking about, Anita? That’s statistically impossible." He straightened up, his tone suddenly demanding. "I want to see these pictures myself. Where is Shristi right now?"

*

FLASHBACK

The scene shifts dramatically, bathing the screen in the warm, nostalgic golden hue of the Mumbai sun. The rhythmic roar of the Arabian Sea crashes against the jagged beach rocks.

Shristi stands by the shore, looking around in confusion. "I'm here...!" she calls out into the sea breeze.

When no voice answers, her brow furrows. "Arre... where did he go?"

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. Sameer lifts her completely off her feet, twirling her around in a dizzying circle. Shristi squeals and giggles, her laughter echoing over the sound of the waves. Unable to keep their balance, they tumble together onto the soft, wet sand, a tangled mess of joy and laughter.

Sameer lies back on the beach, chuckling heartily. Shristi sits up, brushing the sand off her clothes and giving him a playful swat on the chest. "Hehehe! What are you laughing at? You completely scared me!"

Sameer rolls over, propping his chin on his hand, his eyes dancing with mischief. "That’s it? You get scared that easily?" He leans in closer, his tone turning teasing. "But tell me... what if my face was different? Like this?"

He distorts his face into a comically goofy grimace, pulling his mouth to the side.

Shristi doesn't miss a beat. She immediately mimics his exact, ridiculous expression right back at him. "Then I would look at you just like this!"

Sameer bursts out laughing, then instantly shifts into another bizarre expression—widening his eyes and puffing out his cheeks. "And what if my face was like this?"

Again, she wrinkles her nose and copies him perfectly. "Then I would see you just like this!"

Amused by her quick wit, Sameer pulls one more exaggerated, funny face. "And what if it was like this?"

Shristi scrane her neck, squeezing her eyes together to mirror him a third time. "Then I would see you like this!"

Sameer laughs, gently tapping her nose with his finger. "Oh please! You can’t even see your own nose properly right now, how on earth will you see me?"

Shristi’s playful demeanor softens. She places her hand gently on his shoulder, her eyes reflecting a sudden, deep seriousness that grounds the entire moment.

"To see you, Sameer... I don't need these eyes," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I can see you even when my eyes are completely closed."

Sameer’s smile turns gentle, touched by her intensity. "You love me that much?"

"So much," she says softly, her fingers tracing the bridge of his nose, "that everywhere I look, I only see you." She slowly drops her hand, looking into his eyes with a tender vulnerability. "And you? How much do you love me?"

Sameer pulls her into a fierce, protective embrace, burying his face in her hair. "I love you so much... so much, that whenever you open your eyes, you will see me. Only me."

FLASHBACK ENDS

The sound of Sameer’s voice lingers like a ghost, echoing repeatedly in the wind: “...whenever you open your eyes, you will see me... you will see me...”

The warm golden hue evaporates, replaced by the crisp, cool reality of the New Zealand coast. Shristi is sitting on a wooden bench overlooking the private beachfront of Anita's bungalow. Her eyes are closed tightly, her hands clutching the shell necklace as tears slip through her lashes, entirely consumed by the memory.

Slowly, the lingering echo of Sameer's promise forces her eyes to flutter open.

The world blurs for a second before snapping into sharp focus. Standing just a few feet away, bathed in the sharp evening light, is Sahil. He is standing completely still, watching her with a look of quiet, agonizing confusion.

As Sameer’s final words ring one last time in her mind, Shristi freezes, staring at the living, breathing manifestation of her past standing right in front of her.

*

Sahil stepped directly into her path, cutting off her view of the ocean. The playful, easygoing aura he usually carried was entirely gone, replaced by a raw, demanding intensity.

"I want to see Sameer's pictures," he said, his voice dropping into a firm, unyielding register.

Shristi’s heart seized. She instantly averted her gaze, turning on her heel to walk away and escape the suffocating weight of his presence. But before she could take a single step, Sahil’s hand shot out. His fingers wrapped around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

The touch was a jolt to her system. She froze, staring down at his grip.

"This is enough, Shristi," Sahil said, stepping closer so she had no choice but to hear him. His breathing was heavy, his frustration finally breaking through his calm exterior. "I want to see it for myself. I want to see how my face can torture you so much. I want to see exactly how it reminds you of Sameer."