Deja Vu: The First Phase

"'I know that it's our first meeting, Dhvani. Yet... I feel like we met some time long ago.' I don't know why Alice is such intent on these kinds of stupid ideas." I said this to Atharv, who was on the job with me editing my Alice's last book, Fate Re-edited. "I really lost interest in editing and proofreading this book, Atharv." I said so and was about to get up from my chair, but he held my hand tight and made me sit down on the chair. "Dei! Don't make an excuse and leave. This is her last book. Don't you know she has a weak spot in comedy, fantasy and romances?" Atharv said in a soft tone and tried to extinguish the boredom of editing her book, in myself. "Of course, I know more about it than you do. But why is she so intent on this topic of reincarnation?" "Don't you really remember what happened while we were watching Raabta? She has the weakest spot on it." Of course! Who else could forget that day? She was watching it like a crazy girl for a whole day, looping the movie. "Ha! But..." "But?" "I really feel like quitting writing after Alice has gone." "WHAT!? Is this really His Highness crime-thriller writer Advait Sharma?" "Yes. I mean it, Atharv. I still can't come out of that." "Be practical, da. Alice is no more. That's it. You have to move on and start living your life fresh." "Atharv, but..." "Look, Advait. I'll look for the best girl in Delhi, err... India, and put her in front of you, then get you married to her." "No, Atharv. I've decided not to marry." "WHAT!? What will you do then, Advait?" "I will at least go and be a Sanyasi or beg somewhere. But I don't want to live again." "Would you like to die, then?" "I won't mind if life forces me so." "You wretched-" Atharv was about to say something, but my mobile's chirp had stopped him from doing so. I checked out to see who called me, and saw it was a call from a Korean number. "Who's that?" "It's a call from Korea." "Wow, Advait, you have fans from Korea? You didn't tell me, huh?" "Shut up!" I picked up the call, then. "Advait Sharma here." I started the conversation, on call. "Hey, Addy! How are you?" A familiar voice beamed on the call, but I couldn't guess who it was. "Yeah, I'm fine, but may I know who that is?" "Can't you remember me? I'm Vishal, man!" "Vishal...?" "Vishal Mishra, man!" That was when I finally recognised my buddy, Vishal 'Vish' Mishra. "Hey, Vish!" I shouted, rejoicing, which startled Atharv a while. "Who's that?" Atharv whispered. "It's Vish." I replied, whispering at him. "What? Give me the mobile." But, I didn't give him. "I said, give me!" "No! Let me talk first." "But, let me-" "Shhh!" I returned to the call. "Erm... I'm sorry, Vish. But, how are you?" "I'm very fine." "Okay. Why did you call me from a Korean number? Are you in Korea?" "Yes. In Seoul." "Huh? Are you in Seoul?" "Yes." "Okay, tell me what happened." "Addy, good news for you!" "What is it?" "Vinnie is gonna get married." Vinita 'Vinnie' Mishra is Vish's younger sister. I gasped. "Hey! Congrats!" "Thank you!" "Okay. You must come to Seoul along with Alice and Atharv. Okay?" "Huh? Okay, Vish." "And... this is my number. Text me when you are coming to Seoul. Okay?" "Hmmm... okay. Bye!" "Bye, Addy!" I instantly hung up the call. "What happened, da?" Atharv asked. "Vinita is going to get married." "Omo! Is that chatterbox going to get married?" "Yes." "I feel pity for her man... But, why are you dull for that?" "He asked me to come to Seoul along with Alice and you." "Alice and me... so doesn't he know that?" I nodded my head. "Anyways, come." "Where?" "To Ganges. Shall we go there and die? Dei, bastard! Come, let's book the tickets for you." "For me? Aren't you coming?" "No. I'll stay back here. You go, first." "But what if I am not going?" "I'll get going- Seriously! Are you not going to Seoul?" "You heard it right." "ARE YOU REALLY CRAZY OR... Why not?" "Please understand from my point of view." "Of course, I understand! But... if I were in your shoes, I would have been the first person to be happy. But, you? Of course, you're not happy, Advait." "I am happy, Atharv!" "Then go to Seoul!" "No, Atharv. I will be here, editing Alice's book. You go and spend some precious time with Vish." "You deserve them, da. You're the only one here who deserves this precious time. You are the only one here who even dares to die, abandoning your dream. Please, go." "Are you sure I must really go?" "You're really half-hearted, da! Please think about going to Seoul." I thought for a while. Going to South Korea is one of my unfilled dreams, and now I have time to live in that dream. But... I am not sure if I have to leave Atharv, our house only for my dream. And, for the terrible loss of my life, I can't even think about it. But, as Atharv said, I really deserve the break. At least, I can have some kimchi stew, mackerels, spicy rice balls, black bean noodles, etc., "Okay. I'm going." "What?" "You heard it right, Atharv." "Are you sure? You're not zealous, right?" "I deserve this break. That's why I decided to leave." "That's the spirit, mama!" Atharv rejoiced and started to book tickets for me. To be honest, I decided to go, believing that my life would change for the better. Or so I think. So, guys! Our heartbroken king is now ready to go to Seoul, the city where the rest of his life to be shaped. Wanna know how? Stay tuned to know more! Vote, comment and share, and let your acquaintances too join us the journey of Deja Vu! Shy readers, you don't have to do anything except, at least, vote!