Atonement

“Writer turned Murderer,” “Double Murder Charge,” “Writer tried to kill wife,” “Writer must get death sentence in open & shut case,” Some local newspaper had their headlines that day.

“This writer was living a life of dreams, lots of fame, money, successful love life, what else one can wish? So why did he kill the love of his life?” So local reporter Priya was thinking.

“Sir, I want to interview this guy.”, Priya requested the chief editor.

“I was also thinking the same. It can boost our popularity.”, Chief replied.

“I knew both husband and wife. I don’t think this guy can kill someone.”, Priya whispered. “I interviewed him before too, and he can not kill his wife just because he had some doubts.”

“I’ve taken special permission, Priya. Now, everything is in your hand. Make people cry with his interview.” Chief said.

Priya Noded and moved to cell number 19.

A man was sitting on a chair, hands cuffed, wearing striped prisoner clothes, and in that dark room, low light was directly pointing towards that man.

“Hello, Sir.”, Priya Said.

The man looked up and moved hands in salutation.

“I’m a big fan of your work, sir.” Priya again said.

The man laughed and said, “Don’t try to copy my work. I’m kinda famous these days.”

“Sir, I’m talking about your writings. I’ve read every single Story and novel of yours.”

“Don’t ask me for an autograph.” The man pointed at the handcuff with a smile.

“Sir, I’m here for an interview, so please tell me everything you want to share with your fans.” 

“A piece of advice. Don’t try to copy me.”, Dhey smiled. 

“Dhey, Please speak everything. I want to know the truth. I can’t believe you killed her.” Priya spoke in a sad tone.

So, we are going to start the interview. My first question is, “Who are you?”

Dhey stared and replied, “I’m Batman.” Priya stared at Dhey, then Dhey replied, “C’mon, Priya, you know who I’m. Dhey Chaturvedi, born and brought up in Varanasi.”

“I wanted to check your senses with that question.”, Priya said.

“Don’t test me.”, Dhey Laughed.

“Who was Lavanya Sharma?” Priya asked again.

Dhey ignored the question with a smile.

“You need to answer this question, Sir.”, Priya insisted.

“Lavanya was my…….. kid.”, Dhey replied with a pause and a stern look.

“So, why are you here today? Did you try to kill her?” Priya cross-questioned.

“Personal life is a part of this interview?” Dhey frowned.

“Everyone wants to know your side of the story before……” Priya paused.

“Before I get hanged? Ha Ha Ha, Priya, your newspaper already has declared me a killer, don’t involve anyone here. Just remember one thing, not everyone gets a second chance.” Dhey thrashed.

“Dhey, Please, Don’t you think I deserve the truth. Your followers deserve the truth. Everyone who believes in you deserves to know why you did it?” Priya played emotional card.

“Hey, don’t start crying. I’m going to hang a few days later, not today. So save your tears for tomorrow.” Dhey said.

“Priya, I can’t promise you the truth, but I can promise you one thing, I’ll tell you everything I know, so this story started nine years back.” Dhey started

“This is not just a novel, it has a story which will make you love harder, and it will make you believe why you must love? and why you should not give up on people, you care most?” Dhey addressed the audience in BHU Campus.

“Is there anyone who has questions for our guest, anything?” Host asked.

One girl sitting backside in the auditorium raised her hand.

“Sir, is it also a random love story, or it has something extraordinary in climax like your previous novels?” That girl asked.

“First of all, I can’t see your face. Come to light.” Dhey smiled.

A slim and tall built girl, long fair face, brown eyes wearing bigger frame glasses, and that pink hood was just adding some more cuteness to her face. “So, sir?”

Dhey looked at her and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Lavanya Sharma.”

“What are you studying at BHU?”

“Law, Sir”

“Have you ever seen any couple getting divorced and being happy?”

“No, Sir”

“In this Story, you’ll see the value of a relationship. We guys have made love a joke. We live in this physical world. This time you need to take a step back and enter the emotional world.”

“Sir, you didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m not going to. The Story will.” Dhey smiled.

Lavanya bought a copy and asked for Dhey’s autograph.

“Lavanya, Feelings are inevitable. Have faith in love. Love gives us the power to achieve everything.” Dhey signed.

The cafe was being decorated for Christmas Eve. Dhey was also there, sitting and having coffee.

Lavanya arrived with her two friends. 

“See, Dhey is here.”One friend poked Lavanya.

“Go talk to him.”, Another friend poked her.

“Yaar, He is Dhey Chaturvedi. I don’t wanna look despo.”, Lavanya said.

“If you are not going to talk to him, then I’m gonna talk.” Friend again poked her.

“Fine, I’m going,” Lavanya said.

“Hi, Sir.” Lavanya waived with another energy at Dhey.

“Oh, Hi… It’s… La…vanya? Am I right?”, Dhey asked.

“Yes, Sir, you remember my name.”

“I can’t forget anything. Sharp memory.”

“Sir, my friends want a picture with you. May they?” 

“Yes, Of course.”

“Sir, That’s Priya and Adah.”

“Hello.” Dhey waived at both.

They took a picture with him.

“We should leave you both now.” Both of her friends said and left.

Dhey knew she is attracted to him, and Dhey was also interested in her.

“Can we meet on Christmas Eve?” Dhey asked.

It was like a dream come true for Lavanya. Butterflies were moving to and fro in her stomach, and her smile was showing how desperate she was.

“Yes, Sir.” 

“And stop calling me, sir. Call me Dhey.” 

“Ok, Sir, oops, Sorry, Dhey.”

Soon their 2 minutes calls started turning into hours, and they started meeting every other day.

“Dhey, What type of girl do you want?” Lavanya asked.

“I don’t expect much. I want a girl who can be available for me during my hardest days. I want her to be emotionally available, and if she can handle my family. That’s enough for me. I don’t want her to be the hottest or prettiest. If she is there for me, she is enough for me.”

“Am I that much intelligent?”

“Kiddo, you are not of my type. Ha Ha Ha.” Dhey laughed.

“Yeah, I’m just a kid. Go with your madam.” Lavanya frowned.

“Yes, I’ll,” Dhey replied.

They didn’t know this will turn into love after five years of friendship.

Lavanya blindfolded Dhey and brought him to a villa.

“Where are you taking me, Lavanya?”, Dhey asked.

“Wait na Dhey,” Lavanya shouted.

“Dhey, please tell me your fantasy date with your lady.”, Lavanya asked.

“I’ve answered you this question many times. I’m not going to change my answer.”, Dhey said.

“I know… I know, but answer me again na… And don’t try to see anything till I permit.” Lavanya said.

Dhey made a meh face and said,” Alright, so I want to spend time with her at a place far from everything, it must be away from the disturbed and busy life of this city, and I want to hold her hand under the stars, where we can talk over anything whole night. If we are sharing a glass of wine, then it can be a perfect night, and jazz music in the background will add romance to the situation…” Dhey was interrupted by Lavanya.

“Open your eyes, Dhey,” Lavanya started singing, “Happy Birthday to you, Dhey.”

Dhey opened eyes, and it was a perfectly designed date night like he mentioned.

“Thankyou Lavanya”

“Just Thankyou” and Lavanya opened a bottle of wine.

They both started drinking wine and dancing. Dhey was falling for Lavanya’s efforts and her childish nature.

“Don’t drink another glass,” Dhey tried to stop her, but she was just dancing and drinking.

“I want to use Loo,” Lavanya was way more than drunk.

Dhey took her to the bedroom, where she went to use the washroom.

“Lavanya, is everything fine?”, Dhey asked.

Lavanya opened the door… Dhey was stunned as she opened that door. Lavanya was not wearing any cloth.

Dhey turned back and shouted, “What’s this, Lavanya? You forgot to wear anything.”

Lavanya came out and fell on the bed and said, “Dhey, I’m sorry, I vomited on my clothes.”

Dhey hid her under the blanket and shouted: “Lavanya, now go to sleep.”

Lavanya started crying, “Dhey, please don’t leave me. I won’t be able to live without you. I learnt to live when you came into my life. I don’t know what I’ll do without you. So please, don’t leave me. I’m begging you.”

She pulled him in bed and fell asleep in his lap.

Dhey was thinking, “What should I do? This kid won’t let me go, and when she grows, I don’t know how she’ll look at me. I can’t fall for her.”

Dhey couldn’t sleep the whole night.

“Wake up, Kiddo.” Dhey brought breakfast.

Lavanya woke up and soon realized she is naked. 

“Thank you for last night, Kiddo.”, Dhey thanked and offered tea.

Lavanya took a cup of tea, and her face was red as unable to remember the night.

“You liked it?” Lavanya asked.

“Liked? I loved it, Kiddo.” Dhey replied.

Lavanya was getting nervous about the whole mystery, so she asked, “How did I get naked?”

Dhey looked at her and passed a mysterious smile, “Kiddo… Being naughty… Aha… Now you tell me, did you like it?

“I also loved it last night,” Lavanya replied.

“How can you like it while you can’t remember it?” Dhey smiled.

“I’m damn sure. I enjoyed it last night even I don’t remember what happened last night.” Lavanya said.

“Really?”

“Dhey, do you know what, since you walk in my life, I’m at my best? I don’t know what this is, but I know for sure that I’ll have my best time only with you. You are the only reason for my smile. You are the only reason which makes work harder. I just Love You, Dhey. You can’t see it, but I Love You.” Lavanya started crying.

Dhey sighed… He had nothing to say.

Dhey wiped her tears, paused for a while, and said, “Get ready, I’ll drop you at your home, and don’t worry, you were immature last night. We didn’t have sex.”

Lavanya stared at Dhey and thought, “Will he ever understand my feelings? Will he ever listen to me?”

Lavanya called Dhey

“Dhey”

“Kiddo”

“Dhey, what do you want to say about that night?”

“Which night?”

“You know, your birthday night.”

Dhey paused for a while

“If you don’t love me, please say no,” Lavanya said.

“Kiddo, you don’t know, I want to love you, but you are falling for my good side. You haven’t seen my other side. I’m afraid one day you’ll witness that side, and you’ll leave me like others.”

“Please, give me one chance. After that, I’ll fight for you, and I won’t be able to live without you, Dhey.”

“Kiddo, I want to believe in your words, but one day your love will fade away, and you’ll leave me alone. I’ll be left behind alone crying. This is not your chance, and my heart will be at stake.”

“This is not your heart anymore, and I’ll keep your heart safer than mine.”

Dhey paused.

Lavanya started crying, and the call disconnected.

Dhey didn’t sleep the whole night, just talking to himself, “If she is real? What if she loves me? What if she just has infatuations?”

Some questions didn’t let him sleep that night.

Dhey called Lavanya

“Kiddo, listen, I don’t know if you are actually in love with me or not. Take your time and make your mind crystal clear. If you love me and you can bear me for your whole life, then we’ll think.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chaturvedi. I Love You”

He hanged the phone.

Butterflies started flying in Lavanya’s stomach, and she was dancing here and there. She got everything that day.

“Will you marry me, sir?” Lavanya asked.

“This is marriage, not a joke. Are you sure?” Dhey replied.

“I wanna marry.”

“Then let’s Marry. Ha Ha Ha.” Dhey replied.

They both got married.

“Wait, Was that this simple?” Priya asked.

“Yes, that kid came into my life like that,” Dhey replied.

“Do you want to hear the further story?”, Dhey asked.

“Yes, please continue,” Priya replied.

“Then don’t disturb me,” Dhey said.

A tall, muscular man with a thick beard entered chamber 36 and said, “Where is Mrs. Lavanaya Chaturvedi?”

“You are talking to her,” Lavanya replied.

“I’m Advocate Lakshya Pratap Singh. I’m here to assist you with your new case.” That man replied.

Who knew this Lakshya came to create chaos in Dhey and Lavanya’s happy life.

“It’s valentine’s day. We need to spend time together.”, Dhey said.

“I’m going out for some work,” Lavanya replied.

“When will you reach here?”, A message from Lakshya popped on Lavanya’s phone.

“What’s this?”, Dhey asked.

“It’s work,” Lavanya replied.

“Can’t you stop working for a day?”

“It’s work, don’t be immature, it’s work. It’s important.” Lavanya said.

“I’ll ask you one more time, do you want to go?”, Dhey asked.

“Yes,” Lavanya replied.

Lavanya left.

Dhey drank the whole day, and Lavanya came home at night.

“Kiddo, I can’t suspect your character. I trust your character more than mine. Do you know why I gave you this name Kiddo? because you were like a kid. You don’t know what’s right for you. I just want to warn you that guy Lakshya is not right. Leave his company. He is manipulating you. Your friends Priya and Adah are also not wrong, but they are not giving you the right advice. I want you to think from your mind. You know it better. You know what is right, don’t let this world take you away from me. I don’t want to lose my Kiddo. This world will corrupt you. Why don’t you understand.” Dhey cried in front of Lavanya.

“Jaan, I’m not leaving you. I’m always here, don’t worry, no one will separate us, we’ll always be together. I won’t talk to Lakshya again, I promise. Just don’t touch alcohol again. Swear to me.” Lavanya promised.

“While she was in love with you, and she was unable to leave you, then why all of this had happened?” Priya started asking.

“There are things which you don’t expect, and you don’t hope but happens.”, Dhey was in tears.

“I’ve killed my Kiddo, and tomorrow is my death day. That is a mere punishment to me, and I want to punish myself more. I just can’t live without her.” Dhey started crying.

“But Lavanya is alive. So how can you say that you killed her?” Priya asked.

“Death isn’t always physical,” Dhey replied.

“Court is not going declare a verdict till Lavanya’s recovery. So, tell the truth. Otherwise, she will.” Priya said.

“Priya, Please leave,” Dhey Answered in tears. “I request you, and please leave.”

Priya Left.

“Lavanya is recovered, and we can hope her to be here soon.” So reporters were saying on camera.

“Murderer Dhey Chaturvedi has come. He is handcuffed.” The camera moved towards Police Van, which brought Dhey in a prisoner outfit.

All reporters ran toward Police Van and started shouting, “What happened that night?”, “Why did you try to kill your wife?”, “How did you try to kill your wife?”, “Did you kill your wife’s Lover?”

The last question provoked Dhey, so he shouted, “He was not her lover… Damn it.”

“Then why did you kill him?” Another media person asked.

Soon Medical Van brought Lavanya. So reporters started asking her.

“Why did he try to kill you?”, “Why did you cheat your husband?”

Lavanya started crying…

Police and medical staff took her to the courtroom, and Dhey was also taken to the courtroom.

Lavanya started sharing the story.

“I’ve not talked to Lakshya since 14th Feb 2019. One day he called me and blackmailed me about me sharing confidential information with my reporter friend Priya. He had some proof that could cancel my Advocate license. So, one day when Dhey was not home, I called Lakshya home to bribe him. He came drunk and tried to rape me, but Dhey returned home before time and they both started fighting. I tried to help Dhey and pushed Lakshya but unfortunately, I and Lakshya fell from a balcony, he died on the spot while I survived as did not fall directly on solid ground.” 

Then Lavanya looked at Dhey

“Jaan, please forgive me, I should’ve told you this before. I was not cheating you. Please forgive me.”

Lavanya testified her statements in favor of Dhey, so Dhey was not punished and freed from jail.

The judge punished Lavanaya and Priya with 50,000 rs. 

Dhey came outside, and media persons surrounded him and started asking.

“How are you feeling?”, “Did you know about Lavanya taking your side?”, “How did you convince her?”

Priya somehow pulled Dhey out and took him to his place before Lavanya could meet Dhey.

Then Dhey left the town without saying Good Bye to Lavanya.

“Another best selling novel Atonement by Dhey Chaturvedi,” Lavanya read an Article published in a newspaper.

 

“Pride of Varanashi Dhey Chaturvedi,” another article in another newspaper.

Lavanya soon bought that novel, and it had their life story. 

She tried to find the writer and somehow got the address of the author from the publisher.

Lavanya reached the given address, and she found a young 16 years old boy named Bharat.

“Do Dhey Chaturvedi live here?” Lavanya asked.

That boy was looking at her and smiling.

“Can you understand me?” Lavanya again asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Are you Lavanya?” Boy asked.

“Yes.”, Lavanya replied shockingly.

“Sir said you’d come as the novel gets published.”, the boy said, “Wait a minute.”

The boy went inside the room and brought a small red-colored box.

“He asked me to give you this.” The boy passed that box to her.

Lavanya took that box and asked, “But where is Dhey?”

“He doesn’t live around here now. I’ve to take you to somewhere else.” So he asked her to meet the next day before sunrise at the highest peak.

Lavanya opened that box at night and found some of their photographs which Dhey used to took. She found his one diary too. There were lots of letters in that box too.

One letter dated the day he left Varanasi stated

“Kiddo, I’m sorry. I wanted to meet you, but you don’t want to see my face now so that I won’t be showing you my face. But why did you asked me to divorce you? Why did you send those papers to me? I could’ve left you at your peace if you’d just asked me. So don’t worry, Kiddo, one day you’ll get these letters, and that day, please forgive me.”

Lavanya was more shocked than being sad, as she was told that Dhey wanted to divorce her.

Lavanya called her friend Priya.

“Priya, swear to me that you’ll speak the truth now,” Lavanya said.

“Ohh god, what happened yaar?” Priya said on the other side.

“Swear to me.”

“Ohk, now ask.”

“Did Dhey prepared those divorce papers?”

Priya’s sleep was all gone, and she asked, “Why are you opening dead graves?”

“Answer me,” Lavanya was firm.

“No, I did. But he signed.” Piya said.

“Priya, please tell me everything that happened that day.”, Lavanya asked.

Priya started telling her that She and Dhey had a conversation after leaving the courtroom. 

“Priya, I want to meet Lavanya. She was crying. I can’t see her tears. Please let me go.”, Dhey begged.

“Everything is over, Dhey. It is time to move on.”, Priya said.

“I can’t live in this city anymore. Everything will remind me of her face. So I’ll leave.”, Dhey said.

“Where will you go? You are still married to Lavanya. Her ghost will haunt you.” Priya said.

Dhey kept quiet for a while, then Priya broke the silence, “Listen, sign it.” She passed some documents.

“What? What’s this? How dare you?”, Dhey shouted.

“Try to understand, Lavanya prepared these papers, so sign it.”, Priya said.

“Lavanya gave these documents to you?”, Dhey asked.

“If she did not give me, then how could I have these?” Priya said, and then Dhey signed divorce papers.

Lavanya started sobbing on call.

“Why did you lie to me? You took my sign by saying that he wants this. Why did you do this? You were my best friend.” Lavanya said.

“Sorry, Lavanya. I was helping both of you.” Priya Apologized.

Lavanya hung the phone.

Lavanya was unable to sleep.

Lavanya went to the boy’s house before 1 hour of sunrise.

“Sorry, I can’t wait to meet Dhey,” Lavanya said.

“I know. Sir is amazing. Everyone wants to be with him. He brought light to this place.”, Bharat Said.

Lavanya started smiling.

“Dhey Sir used to teach every kid around here, he brought schools and medicines to us. Villagers worship him like a god.” Boy praised Dhey. “He is the kindest soul I encountered.”

The boy took her to the highest peak, and the sun started rising.

“Where is Dhey?” Lavanya asked.

“This Rock which was touched by the first ray of sun.” The boy pointed towards a rock.

“What do you mean?” Lavanya asked.

“Dhey sir used to sit on this rock while teaching kids here every morning, so since he left this world, we call this rock Dhey Sir.” The boy replied in a grieving tone.

Everything was vanished in front of Lavanya’s eyes. Her sun was set for forever. Lavanya could only shed floods of tears for Atonement of immature decisions…….